Controversy On Sochi Winter Olympics

1
English 102
Spring 2014

At the Olympics athletes from all over the world to compete in sports and to unite everyone in watching an event, but this Olympics has a twist to it. Controversy on LGBT rights exploded prior to this year's Sochi Winter Olympics has a twist to it. LGBT refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Before the Olympics started, debates already began to form. Russia's laws degrade LGBT rights and opened a human rights debate. These laws sparked many LGBT communities to protest against them. This occurrence didn't just happen in America, but globally. There are many reports of the LGBT communities protesting against these anti-gay laws. According to the AP, “a coalition of 40 human-rights and gay-rights
He says, “Homophobic groups have grown larger in size, stronger, and they feel they have the support of the government.” (Stanglin) Russians have become more hostile toward the LGBT communities and the LGBT communities don't even stand a chance in protecting themselves. USA Today gives us an example, “In some cases attackers have grabbed a gay man off the street and taken him to an apartment where they would beat him and curse him as a pedophile, then post a videotape of the incident online as further humiliation,” (Stanglin). From the quote I realized the problem isn't in the politics, but it is a social problem. The attacks won't stop even if laws were to improve for them. The situation in Russia is similar to America's history with black vs. whites. Where did these views come from to make it a social
An example of this is from an ESPN report, “......physicians and other medical professionals frequently refuse to treat gays and lesbians, according to the DRL report,” (Munson). Not only the health system, but also attorneys are siding with the ant-gay laws. They refuse to help any LGBT community member and will probably excuse everything that an LGBT would say. Dmitry Bartenev, an attorney and law professor in St. Petersburg warns all LGBT communities that their lives won't get any easier because of President Putin's view about LGBT. Munson states, “Russian courts at all levels have supported anti-gay laws and prohibitions and would provide no refuge for anyone who is arrested.(The Constitutional Court [Russia's highest tribunal] has rejected all attacks on these laws and is not concerned with any suppression of gay rights,” (Munson) Munson depicts that the LGBT is not only being picked on in the streets, but are also being limited by highter ranking jobs and prevents LGBT people from protecting themselves in court. The opportunities to rise up in society