In the wake of increasing calls to boycott next year's Winter
Olympics in Sochi, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it
has assurances Russian anti-gay laws won't affect the games.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks has signed laws
that prohibit gay and lesbian couples from adopting Russian-born
children and the public promotion of gay rights. The nation's “gay
propaganda” law also applies to tourists, who could be detained for
up to 2 weeks.
Actor-playwright Harvey Fierstein wrote last week in a The
New York Times op-ed that the “Olympic Committee must
demand the retraction of these laws under the threat of boycott.”
But in a written statement released Friday, the IOC insisted that
the laws would not be enforced at the Olympic Games.
“The IOC has received assurances from the highest level of
government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those
attending or taking part in the Games,” the
IOC said.
“The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a
human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or
sexual orientation. The Games themselves should be open to all, free
of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media
and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any
move that would jeopardize this principle.”
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT
advocate, said that it wanted written proof to back up the IOC's
claims.
“Mere verbal assurances from the Russian government that
foreigners will be exempt from their repressive laws are not enough,”
HRC President Chad Griffin said in a written statement. “The IOC
must obtain ironclad written assurance from President Putin.”
“But more importantly, they should be advocating for the safety
of all LGBT people in Russia, not simply those visiting for the
Olympics. Rescinding this heinous law must be our collective goal,”
he added.