I'm sure everybody....especially the LGBT community like myself is up in arms at the way our community is being treated by their ill minded powers that be...in particular ... Putin. To Russia with Love indeed. I like to write Putin a letter.
As soon as we get rid of a crazy, it seems there is another waiting!?! As you may know, last fall my International Relations fling and friend, Vitlai lives in Russia. He is such a sweet person. I have been worried, because after a string of emails I haven't received any back. But just yesterday I found out from another family member I met once, got back to me, and said that Vitlai's family took his lap top from him!!!!! They're fine with him being gay and accept him, but are so paranoid by the current events going on, they fear for him, and what he may be surfing the web on. There is talk
he may even leave Russia permanently and live with family here. I agree. What kind of life will he have otherwise. Two other friends were going to travel there, but their travel agent said they may want to reconsider. But this from perennial gay favorite and icon... Harvey Fierstein, pretty much sums up what I think......From Facebook....
Status Update By Harvey Fierstein It's time to start paying attention to what's going on in Russia in case you haven't yet. Putin has declared war on the gay community. He's made it illegal to promote homosexuality in theater, film, tv, print that in any way could be seen by youth. In other words anything gay is now pornography. He's outlawed the adopting of Russian children to any country that has legalized marriage equality. And now it is reported that his next law will remove the children of GLBT families from their homes. This will apply to biological children as well as formerly adopted ones. This is a horror. Not only for our community but even for straight families. Already divorced parents are threatening one another with blackmail to tell authorities that their ex is now gay just to control parental rights. Putin wants this attack against human rights to be his legacy. He believes he can get the backing of the Vatican as well as all other conservative religious leaders to join his cause. What can we do? Make his actions and his plans public. Shine the light of public opinion on this evil doer. Boycott the Winter Olympics in Russia. Believe me, Putin will use the Olympics as proof that the world backs up his action. There are only two ways to deal with a tyrant: Starve out the rat, or destroy him. So, my friends, do your research and then GET LOUD AGAINST PUTIN AND HIS ANTI-GAY POGROM. This is a very small world. Our brothers and sisters in Russia need us NOW!
Amen sister! Now , while I'm not a vodka drinker, except for Cosmo's , and believe me no more Russian Vodka here, I'm with my ever faithful playground the Raven on the support! Removing Stolichnaya Vodka from the shelves. The Raven Resort cannot support a brand associated with Russia when "Not only have government officials passed blatant anti-gay legislation, but LGBT individuals are facing extreme violence at the hands of those in power, as well as by their fellow citizens. Other eateries in New Hope are also quickly telling distributors are not going to supply any Russian vodka......
And when Putin shuts his traps long enough, I'll tell him to go drown on his drink and tell him where he can shovel the empty bottle! And to our friends and family in the LGBT community of Russia....our thoughts, prayers and hopes are with you now.... and always.
Eff Stoli. I'm a Smirnoff girl!
ReplyDeleteLet's see how Putin and all his hateful supporters here like it when tourists stop spending $ in their country. The 2014 Olympics in Sochi will be a joke, and shine a global spotlight on this idiotic step back toward the middle ages, when no tourists show up to the games and athletes from all over the world show support for gay rights.
ReplyDeletePutin is simply pulling a page from the Hitler playbook.
You smell an ignorant bitch alright. I say it'll be a matter of time before some queen goes postal and shoots the bastard, where they will then be hailed a hero.
ReplyDeleteI think unless Russia/Putin makes a definitive statement regarding LBGT athletes, spectators and supporters - that they will not be targeted, harassed and arrested the International Olympic Committee should yank the games and hand them off to another country that hosted them recently and award that country all the monies they need to take it on.
ReplyDeleteCrossing fingers for Vitlai and family.
One man should be allowed to force his own personal warped views on a nation, who does he think he is.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of the Russian nation voted for him and his style of leadership. Which is scary. I think your beau best high tail when he has the chance.
ReplyDeleteHe must have learned it from Michelle Bachman who said the same thing to a girl who asked her about what she thought about equal rights for gay people and she said, "Gay people have the same rights as everyone else,"
ReplyDeletePutin couldn't care less about propaganda - its my way or the highway, or perhaps a lethal injection!
ReplyDeleteI guess sometimes we don't know how lucky we are.
ReplyDeleteRussia has a long history of repressive legislation dressed up as 'liberal'. No-one in the West will be fooled by Putin's pretence that Gays in Russia are 'free'. They're not and we should shout long and hard that they are not.
ReplyDeleteRussia always seems to need someone to pick on. Too bad it's now their GLBTQ community!
ReplyDeleteThey can keep their vodka, I don't touch it anyway. I just feel sorry for the Lgtb people....living in fear. What do they think will happen? This fear will male them straight? We and they will always stand with pride.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were back!!!! Welcome! And F**K Russia. I just hope our brothers and sisters can find a way out to a decent homeland. Why IS THIS SUCH AN ISSUE TO BE GAY? Who cares, just enjoy your own life. Live and let live is my motto
ReplyDeleteWhy are people surprised by anything Putin does? He was a KGB operative. He has probably killed people with his bare hands, almost certainly with weapons like knives and guns. Russia has come out of the darkness of communism even more barbaric and imperialistic than it was in the days of the Tsar; so much for THAT bit of social engineering.
ReplyDeleteSure Putin, pick on the gays. At least that way it gives you cover with your hypocritical russian orthodox priests and allows you to carry on an adulterous affair with a woman half your age while divorcing your wife.
ReplyDelete*unplugs Vodka Fountain until liquor shopping day*
ReplyDeleteThe Poles and Swedes make vodka too.