Personally, I'm boycotting the olympics this year. Sadly, the gay rights aspect isn't even the worst of it. There's corruption at the very heart of the whole thing, more than a third of the money spent is unaccounted for, and guest workers from Kazakstan had their passports stolen by their employers and were deported without getting paid. Basically, the whole thing stinks.

But given the nature of this website, the LGBT issue is the most relevant, so I thought I'd share this little thing I found.

To Russia With Love is a sort of petition. The site's subtitle reads, 'Say no to abuse of basic human rights. Let's paint Russia in rainbow colours and tell Putin the world supports equality.'

If you click 'read more', you'll find the following text:

Quote

Russia's anti-gay "propaganda law" assault on freedom of expression

 

Russia's Parliament has backed a bill which outlaws the "propaganda of homosexuality among minors" in a move that will restrict fundamental human rights and is in breach of the country's international obligations to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people from discrimination.

 

The State Duma voted almost unanimously in favour of the controversial measure with only one parliamentarian against and another abstaining, during the first reading.

 

The law would make the "promotion of homosexuality among minors" an administrative offence in federal law, with fines of up to 500,000 roubles (US$ 16,200).

 

"This law is an attack on the right to freedom of expression," said David Diaz-Jogeix, Europe and Central Asia Programme Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

 

There is no legal definition in the Russian law of what constitutes 'propaganda of homosexuality' and the law could be interpreted very loosely. They are going to punish people for something which is perfectly legitimate - expressing themselves, being themselves.

 

"This law further stigmatizes and alienates LGBTI people, including children, and will deprive them of information that could be crucial to their health," said Diaz-Jogeix.

 

"It perversely presumes that the moral, spiritual and psychological development of children is best served by denying them access to support and information that can help them make informed, autonomous and responsible decisions. This is an unjust law."

 

"Besides, this law will deny LGBTI people equality before the law by curtailing the activities of LGBTI activists, some of whom have already been harassed and assaulted."

At time of writing, there are 263583 supporters who have painted 21.9% of the map. You don't have to give them your e-mail address or even your name. You simply fill in your age, gender (with options 'trans' and 'other' available) and country, and then you've filled in a tiny square on the map. It's pretty neat. I don't know whether it actually does and good, but with any luck it raises awareness, and in any case it shows solidarity with Russian members of our community. And it only takes thirty seconds, so if you've already read this whole post, you might as well.