Tag: Russia

Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

August 8, 2013

 Sparking need to increase international outcry and calls for boycotts By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. It would seem that the recent promulgation of anti-gay laws in Russia is spreading in the region.  We are receiving reports from Yerevan, Armenia that  Armenia’s police have proposed a ban on promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships” in the country. … More Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

August 7, 2013

The Facts About Stolichnaya \ What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand – What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. Updates August 11, 2013. – In its attempts to separate itself from the Russian vodka boycotts, Stoli … More The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

August 7, 2013

 and then have the courage of our convictions to insist “NO AMERICAN IN SOCHI” until the Russians rescind their anti-gay laws and start treating LGBTI people with the dignity they deserve. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. As soon as the Russian DUMA legislated its anti-gay Propaganda law, we here at OBLOGDEE called for an … More Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

August 6, 2013

Ask IOL to move the Olympics from Sochi. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama today criticized a new Russian law cracking down on gay rights activism, saying he has “no patience for countries that try to treat gays and lesbians and transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful … More President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

San Francisco LGBT community calls on Mayor Ed Lee to Boycott Russia

August 6, 2013

Russia Spills Gay Blood We Spill Russian Vodka at SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL By Melanie Nathan.  August 07, 2013. “Russia Spills Gay Blood We Spill Russian Vodka” read my sign today, as I joined my fellow activists from Gays Without Borders, when we poured Russian vodka onto San Francisco’s street outside City Hall and called … More San Francisco LGBT community calls on Mayor Ed Lee to Boycott Russia

Gay teenager kidnapped and tortured by Russian homophobes believed to have died from injuries

August 5, 2013

YOU SPILL GAY BLOOD WE SPILL RUSSIAN VODKA | Noon San Francisco City Hall August 06, 2013. By Melanie Nathan, August 05, 2013. PINKNews is Reporting  and we have not yet independently verified: The gay teenager who was kidnapped and tortured by Russian neo-Nazis has died from his injuries it has been claimed. Spectrum Human … More Gay teenager kidnapped and tortured by Russian homophobes believed to have died from injuries

HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws

August 5, 2013

“The contradiction glares when HRC asks the IOC to ensure “special treatment’ for American athletes and visitors. I find it unconscionable of HRC not to be taking the ultimate stand for a BOYCOTT of the Olympic SOCHI Games in Russia and using their immense power and membership to demand that  IOC  move the games out … More HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws

U.S. House Reps send Letter to Kerry about Anti-Gay 2014 Olympic Games in Russia

August 2, 2013

Rep. Nadler Leads Bipartisan Letter to Protect LGBT Rights at 2014 Olympic Games in Russia By Melanie Nathan, August 2, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, lead a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the protection … More U.S. House Reps send Letter to Kerry about Anti-Gay 2014 Olympic Games in Russia

Gays to Fly Rainbow Flag Outside Russian Consulate in San Francisco

August 2, 2013

Protest Part of Global LGBT Solidarity Campaign By Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2013. San Francisco, CA — On Saturday, August 3, 2013, at 12:00 pm (noon) San Franciscans will gather at the Russian Consulate at 2790 Green Street (near Baker Street) to protest new anti-gay laws passed in Russia that subject LGBT Russians and foreign … More Gays to Fly Rainbow Flag Outside Russian Consulate in San Francisco

Russian Sports Minister confirms Olympic athletes are NOT exempt

August 1, 2013

“…but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 1, 2013 A series of tweets from @r_sport, who bills themselves as the “Official host news agency for @Sochi2014”, alerted me to renewed confirmation that Sochi Olympic athletes will NOT in fact be … More Russian Sports Minister confirms Olympic athletes are NOT exempt

Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates

July 31, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 31, 2013 Today kicked off Embassy and Consulate protests in the U.S. against Russia’s LGBT human rights violations with actions in New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. We have blogged on the protests as actions people can take to help raise awareness about the worsening conditions for the Russian … More Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates

10 Actions you can take against Russia | shocking video of Russian Gay Teen torture

July 26, 2013

10 ways to STOP the Russian terror of Gays By Melanie Nathan, July 26, 2013. Anti-gay sentiment and violence against LGBTI people has been a Russian habit for some time. However in recent months it has escalated with lack of basic law and order, exacerbated by Vladamir Putin’s legislative onslaught through various laws that criminalize … More 10 Actions you can take against Russia | shocking video of Russian Gay Teen torture

U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

July 22, 2013

“I can’t point to any country of the world today that is a model for the rest of the world, except perhaps for Russia” Scott Lively, radical Christian extremist By Cathy Kristofferson, July 22, 2013 For a while we have been following the ramped up anti-gay extremism taking place in Russia, which culminated with the … More U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

Dutch tourists accused of gay propaganda freed

July 22, 2013

“They were discussing human rights when suddenly the police and migration officers burst inside.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 22, 2013 Today a court hearing scheduled in Murmansk, Russia for the Dutch tourists arrested on ‘gay propaganda’ charges. It would seem that the judge did not hear the matter but rather “returned the case materials for … More Dutch tourists accused of gay propaganda freed

Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

July 21, 2013

How will this not happen during the Olympics! By Cathy Kristofferson, July 21, 2013 Updates posted below. So it has begun.  Russia today arrested tourists ‘violating’ their new anti-gay propaganda law.About an hour ago, the LGBT Russian Network posted on their Facebook wall: “URGENT NEWS! In Murmansk city (North Russia) 3 Dutch citizens detained by the … More Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

Moldova secretly adopts anti-propaganda law

July 18, 2013

“Politicians specifically sought to avoid debating the bill in public.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 18, 2013 An article introduced in the Parliament of Moldova on May 23rd titled “Public activities with negative impact on minors” has now been secretly passed and adopted.  Today, the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights is reporting that “A new … More Moldova secretly adopts anti-propaganda law

Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

July 15, 2013

by Melanie Nathan, July 15, 2013. Does Edward Snowden know that if he said one pro-gay or LGBTI supportive word Putin could arrest him and he could go to jail? I find Snowden’s actions in complimenting the Russian authorities and their human rights record self serving, unnecessary and nothing more than one big Putanic arse-lick … More Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

July 10, 2013

‘Protecting children from the “advancement and promotion of homosexuality, especially among minors.”‘ By Cathy Kristofferson, July 09, 2013 A few weeks ago rumor had it that Belarus was looking to be the first country in Europe to re-criminalize homosexuality by amending its Criminal Code, to punish gays with up to 10 years imprisonment and confiscation of their … More Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

Academy Award winner risks arrest by waving rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow

July 4, 2013

Will the Olympic athletes attending the Sochi Olympic Games follow her lead? By Cathy Kristofferson, July 4, 2013 Academy award winning actress Tilda Swinton yesterday risked arrest by standing with a rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow in clear violation of Russia’s new national so-called anti-gay “promotion” law. The picture was posted to Twitter by … More Academy Award winner risks arrest by waving rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow

Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

July 2, 2013

An action to demonstrate the danger of  the new anti-LGBT laws By Cathy Kristofferson, July 2, 2013 Amidst current graphic protests, there is a renewed call for the boycott of the Sochi Olympics, as gay arrests continue in Russia following President Putin’s signing into law the nationwide so-called “anti-propaganda bill,” banning the so called ‘promotion’ … More Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

Violent Arrests at pro-Gay Rally in Russia

June 29, 2013

Clashes lead to arrests and detentions at St. Petersburg “Ravnopraviye” Pride Event By Cathy Kristofferson, June 29, 2013 Today in St. Petersburg, Russia pro-and anti-gay supporters clashed at a gay pride event organized by “Ravnopraviye” (Equal Rights.) The event had been sanctioned by the authorities.  The rally-march was organized to protest recent legislation banning “promotion of non-traditional … More Violent Arrests at pro-Gay Rally in Russia

Same gender couples risking arrest apply for Marriage Licenses in Russia

June 28, 2013

by Cathy Kristofferson, June 28, 2013 Today 5 same-gender couples applied for marriage licenses in the registry office in the Admiralty Side, a district of St. Petersburg, Russia.  Officials at the registry explained that the licenses are only intended for couples of opposite gender and sent them on their way.  This is a bold move in … More Same gender couples risking arrest apply for Marriage Licenses in Russia

Call to Boycott Olympics in homophobic Russia reminds of Apartheid South Africa

June 19, 2013

“If they feel strongly about human rights they should boycott the Olympics in Sochi.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 18, 2013 RUSA LGBT, a Russian-Speaking American LGBTQ group in New York City, is calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The lower house of the Russian Duma  last week unanimously passed their … More Call to Boycott Olympics in homophobic Russia reminds of Apartheid South Africa

Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

June 18, 2013

The Bill is based on myth as expounded by Russian Deputy Speaker, who said:  “If a child ends up with a homosexual couple, it could cause severe damage and the child ends up with a distorted perception of reality.” By Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2013. As same-sex marriage is increasing in acceptance around the world, … More Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

Poland Pride’s success dampened by first openly gay PM assault

June 17, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson,  June 17, 2013 Saturday about 8 thousand marched in Poland’s annual Equality Parade, Parada Równości 2013, under the slogan ‘Fully-fledged Diversity’.  Since Poland has become more accepting these days, the organizers decided to march for Russia and Eastern Europe where the LGBT communities are currently under attack.  Prior to the parade bout … More Poland Pride’s success dampened by first openly gay PM assault

Protests and arrests as Russia’s State Duma passes anti-gay promotion bill unanimously

June 11, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 10, 2013 Update 6/30: President Putin today signed this bill into law. Proponents argue it is for the protection of children, but critics still allege it part of a broad crackdown on Russia’s LGBT community.  For his part Mr. Putin tells international critics “We ask you not to interfere in our … More Protests and arrests as Russia’s State Duma passes anti-gay promotion bill unanimously

Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

May 25, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Update May 26  – Video add down below We reported earlier here on OBLOGDEE about Ukraine’s 1st ever Gay Pride March happily occurring despite multiple political attempts to derail it.  The folks in Moscow were not so lucky. Today in the Russian capital of Moscow, activists and opponents clashed in an unsanctioned … More Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

Topless Protestors in Germany lunge at Putin in Protest at Trade Event

April 11, 2013

European protestors, the group Femen take their protests to an effective extreme – at least I think so – certainly noticeable and passionately expressive. This makes American protests in the vein of Code Pink and GetEQUAL seem tame. I say ‘way to go and thank you FEMEN! By Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2013. A must … More Topless Protestors in Germany lunge at Putin in Protest at Trade Event

Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

April 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 11, 2013. Further to our report about the lowering of rainbow flags to half mast in the Netherlands and protests against Russian PM Vladimir Putin, on April 08, the Dutch LGBT community and allies turned out by the thousands to protest Putin’s proposed anti-gay propaganda law in Russia. On stage performers … More Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

Scott Lively poised to cause more anti-gay persecution | An odious letter to the Russian people

February 23, 2013

“The purpose of my visit was to bring a warning about the homosexual political movement which has done much damage to my country and which has now taken root in Russia. This is a very fast-growing social cancer that will destroy the family foundations of your society if you do not take immediate, effective action … More Scott Lively poised to cause more anti-gay persecution | An odious letter to the Russian people