Homosexuals are welcome in Russia, says Russian President Vladimir Putin, less than a month before the start of the Sochi Winter Olympics.
The gesture is reportedly an effort to deflect rising international criticism that the county’s policies are anti-gay.
Russia enacted controversial anti-gay legislation last year that banned non-traditional sexual activities among minors and made it illegal to tell children about gay equality.
Putin supports the anti-gay laws as a measure against pedophiles, and to increase the birth rate in Russia by discouraging non-traditional sexual activities.
Reportedly the law contributed to a rising tide of homophobia in Russia with rights activists reporting discrimination, harassment and abuse of people having non-traditional sexual preferences.
The Sochi winter Olympics, due to begin Feb. 7 is reportedly the biggest event for Russia since Moscow hosted the Summer Olympic Games under the aegis of the Soviet Union in 1980.
The Soviet-era, Black-Sea resort with the gleaming water sport hubs is an occasion for Moscow to project its economic might and modernity to the rest of the world.
Gay-rights issues and international concern about security following bombings in Volgograd have overshadowed the start of the Winter Games next month.
Putin reiterated that neither he nor his government is homophobic after media outlets highlighted growing cases of harassment of gays and gay rights activists. International concern has increased about the possible treatment of gays at Sochi.
Even some Western leaders expressed their intention to boycott the Sochi Olympics calling the anti-gay law as “archaic” and “discriminatory.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Barack Obama said he won’t attend the games and the US openly named two gay athletes as part of its delegation.
The Province quoted Putin:
“I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in Russia, unlike in one third of the world’s countries, being gay is not a crime. So there is no danger for people of this non-traditional sexual orientation to come to the Games.”
He even cited pop star and gay icon Elton John saying millions of people in Russia love him despite his orientation.
Brushing off concerns about Western leaders boycotting the games, Putin called them as attempts to politicize the Olympics saying mixing of sports and politics was inappropriate.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Putin:
“Large international competitions, especially the Olympic Games, are designed to depoliticize the most acute international problems and create additional opportunities to build bridges. And it would be silly not to use this opportunity. It would be even sillier to burn these bridges.”
*Sources linked within text.