In Russia, gays are officially designated as second-class citizens in law. While homosexuality is not (yet) illegal, gay people are routinely abused, assaulted, and persecuted. "Gay propaganda" - telling people that this is wrong, and that people are equal regardless of who they love - is a crime.
And yet the International Olympic Committee thinks this is an appropriate country to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
The Olympic Charter is pretty clear:
Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion,
politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
I guess the IOC just doesn't think that applies to gays. And OTOH, its been clear for a while that this is an organisation without any moral centre, dedicated solely to the pursuit of profit. After all, they gave the 2008 Summer Olympics to China, despite its appalling human rights record.
I'm not interested in sport, but those of you who are should consider whether you want to endorse these bigoted Olympics - and its sponsors - with your support and money. Decent people don't support bigotry, no matter how rich its excusers are.
