By Val Servino–
In late June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into action that altered the freedom of queer individuals in the country. Formally known as Article 6.21 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses, the antigay act outlaws the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors”. The law aims to limit the belief in youths that non-normative sexuality or gender representation is of value or “attractive”.
Putin’s stronghold on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and otherwise Queer, or LGBTIQ, community is not limited to citizens of the Russian Federation. In fact, non-residents are subject to more extreme penalties.
Russian natives can be fined anywhere from 4,000 to 1,000,000 rubles–120 to 30,000 USD–depending on their place in society. Public officials receive much higher fines than average citizens. Organizations, if not fined 1 million rubles, are subject to a 90-day suspension. Internet usage also increases the monetary amount.
Persons without citizenship can be fined anywhere between 4,000 and 100,000 rubles, or 120 to 3,000 USD, with harsher penalties for internet-based propaganda. In addition to the cash fine, non-natives are subject to a possible 15-day imprisonment followed by deportation. This includes refugees, who fled war and terror for Russia’s borders. The nation’s current refugee population is 110,701 with an additional 15,022 asylum seekers.
Also included in the category of stateless persons are the athletes expected to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi.
In addition to outcry from the American public calling for a boycott of the games en masse, the international community has reacted as well. Athletes with global reach in particular have spoken out. At the 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russian athletes Tatyana Firova and Ksenyia Ryzhova shared a kiss after winning the women’s 4×400 meter relay.
Additionally, American Nick Symmonds placed second in the 800-meter race. He dedicated his silver medal to his queer loved ones in the states.
“As much as I can speak out about it, I believe that all humans deserve equality as however God made them. Whether you’re gay, straight black, white, we all deserve the same rights,” said Symmonds, as reported by R-Sport. He was the first athlete to speak out against the new law on Russian soil.
Swedish natives and National Hockey League players Henrik Zetterberg and Victor Hedman also spoke out against the ban. Zetterberg, who will likely be called up to the Swedish National Hockey Team for the Winter Olympics, described the law as “awful, just awful”. He continued to explain his belief “that everyone should be able to be themselves. It’s unbelievable that it can be this way in this time, especially in a big country like Russia.”
While it is wonderful that these athletes are in support of human rights for the Russian citizens who will be hosting their competition come February 2014, it is unknown whether these athletes will follow through on their beliefs.
The Russian LGBTIQ community has hopes that athletes will compete in rainbow-colored uniforms as a form of protest. However, the International Olympic Committee Charter states, “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Such assertions could lead to fines or suspensions on behalf of the International Olympic Committee or member nations.
Russian natives are similarly unhappy with the legislation, which, put in place to ‘protect’ the youth, has given justification to vigilante attacks.
Dina Shishkova, a Seton Hall University graduate student and research assistant at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, was raised in Novomoskovsk, Russia. She explained that the new law is a variation on a theme for the Russian Federation, with several regions already instituting similar ‘protective’ laws. Sochi is one of these areas.
When asked what would need to be done before her home country repealed the homophobic law, Shishkova stated, “Personally, I don’t think this Federal law will be repealed on domestic level. On the international level, the most possible action that can be done is pressuring Russia to repeal.
“Several organizations already trying to act, such as Amnesty International and Human Right Watch, can’t enforce any actions as it will bring the sovereignty issue to the table. Legally speaking, Russia is free to treat its nationals as bad as it wants but the matter would change if it prosecuted a foreign national.”
