For an event that is supposed to welcome diversity, Russia continues to be at the forefront of opposition towards gay rights and gay people. Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov recently told BBC that out of the 343,000 citizens in his town, zero of them are gay.
When asked if gay visitors and athletes would have to hide their sexual orientation, Pakhomov responded:
“No, we just say that it is your business, it’s your life. But it’s not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live,” Pakhomov said. “We do not have them in our city.”
As long as no one breaks the Russian law, everything will be fine, or so he says.
“Our hospitality will be extended to everyone who respects the laws of the Russian Federation and doesn’t impose their habits on others,”
Realistically, it is impossible for Mayor Pakhomov to know the sexual orientation of every single citizen unless he conducted a survey. Even if he did, few citizens would be honest.
Serving as a contradiction to his claim, there are actually gay clubs and places to go to near and in Sochi:
“There are very many clubs for gay people in Moscow – in Sochi we have two gay clubs as well. In some places there’s serious prejudice against gay people. In other places it’s not as bad,” Said Drag queen Madame Zhu-Zha.
Although the Olympics is meant to celebrate country pride and diversity, Russia is making everyone uncomfortable and aware of the law banning the “promotion of homosexuality” to individuals under 18 years old, which passed in June 2013. This year’s Winter Olympics is appearing less fun, unsafe and overall a downer.