Russia's deputy prime minister on
Thursday asked gay visitors and athletes coming to Sochi for the
Winter Olympics to “leave the kids alone.”
Dmitry Kozak made his plea during a
press conference, the
AP reported.
Kozak insisted that Russia does not
discriminate based on sexual orientation.
The run-up to Friday's opening of the
Winter Olympics has been marred by Russia's “gay propaganda” law,
which prohibits the promotion of gay rights in public spaces.
Russian authorities have said the law is necessary to protect
children.
Gay rights groups have condemned the
law, saying it has contributed to increasing anti-gay rhetoric in
Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last
month made a similar statement, saying that gays must “leave the
children at peace.”
(Related: Vladimir
Putin: Gays can feel “at ease” at Sochi, but must “leave
children in peace.”)