Russia's Winter Olympics Of Hate

Icy Hate

In another six months, the world's best athletes in a number of obscure and less obscure sports will come to Sochi, Russia. And if any of those said athletes are of a homosexual orientation, well, here's something for them to remember when they are in town.

According to ABC News, in Russia, "it is now illegal to even speak about homosexuality around minors, much less openly display gay pride. Technically the ban is against "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" around minors, but the implication for openly gay individuals is clear. Public displays of affection by gays, including holding hands or displaying symbols like a rainbow flag, are now banned. Violators face steep fines and jail time; foreigners face similar penalties plus deportation."

Now, imagine what the story would be if, instead of homosexuality and gay in that paragraph above, I substituted in Christian and religious.

Would there be any doubt that this would be a major, earth-shattering, no doubt boycottable offense?

The answer, of course, is yes.

Now, does anyone really think that there will be a large and sustained boycott on the behalf of this group?

The answer, of course, is no.

So if you ever feel that, well, the fight for equality is well and truly over, and that those folks are getting way too strident about their views or beliefs...

Well, consider what is going on in Russia, and how little we're really hearing about it, and how the Olympics are just going to, in all likelihood, just continue without any real stink. In a land where holding hands is punishable by fine, jail time and deportation.

Equality, this ain't...