Hello all, I'd like it if you guys took a minute of your time and read this and sign the petition here.
Basically, the issue is this - on July 3, Mr. Putin signed a law banning the adoption of Russian-born children not only to gay couples but also to any couple or single parent living in any country where marriage equality exists in any form.
A few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days. Contrary to what the International Olympic Committee says, the law could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer, reporter, family member or fan who is gay - or suspected of being gay, or just accused of being gay - can go to jail.
Earlier in June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying “homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so that any teacher who tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any parents who tell their child that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who makes pro-gay statements deemed accessible to someone underage is now subject to arrest and fines. Even a judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot publicly argue for tolerance without the threat of punishment.
Finally, it is rumoured that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that would remove children from their own families if the parents are either gay or lesbian or suspected of being gay or lesbian. The police would have the authority to remove children from adoptive homes as well as from their own biological parents.
My girlfriend's been trying to inform as many people as possible, including the sponsors of the games, and both her and me would be grateful if you signed the petition, which can be found here: https://www.change.org/petitions/st...ympics-2014-sponsors-to-condemn-anti-gay-laws
I know it's a political-ish thread/topic, and I'm sorry, as I know that type of thing isn't encouraged here. I'd ultimately like it to be treated as a humanitarian cause for equality, and I'm not trying to start anything political.
Thanks!
Basically, the issue is this - on July 3, Mr. Putin signed a law banning the adoption of Russian-born children not only to gay couples but also to any couple or single parent living in any country where marriage equality exists in any form.
A few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days. Contrary to what the International Olympic Committee says, the law could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer, reporter, family member or fan who is gay - or suspected of being gay, or just accused of being gay - can go to jail.
Earlier in June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying “homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so that any teacher who tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any parents who tell their child that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who makes pro-gay statements deemed accessible to someone underage is now subject to arrest and fines. Even a judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot publicly argue for tolerance without the threat of punishment.
Finally, it is rumoured that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that would remove children from their own families if the parents are either gay or lesbian or suspected of being gay or lesbian. The police would have the authority to remove children from adoptive homes as well as from their own biological parents.
My girlfriend's been trying to inform as many people as possible, including the sponsors of the games, and both her and me would be grateful if you signed the petition, which can be found here: https://www.change.org/petitions/st...ympics-2014-sponsors-to-condemn-anti-gay-laws
I know it's a political-ish thread/topic, and I'm sorry, as I know that type of thing isn't encouraged here. I'd ultimately like it to be treated as a humanitarian cause for equality, and I'm not trying to start anything political.
Thanks!
