The Olympics have always been a little bit gay.
By Staff on Thursday, February 6, 2014
‘The Olympics have always been a little bit gay – so let’s keep it that way’, is the message of an online campaign which ridicules Russian President Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay laws.
A video, which shows two male sledgers thrusting in time to 80’s anthem “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League as they prepare to luge, has been released by campaigners on the eve of the opening of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=effb2JYiKXM
‘The advert was produced as part of a collaboration between the Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion (CIDI) and Toronto based Re-think, reports The Independent.
The organisation is also asking people to change their Facebook image to this:
The Olympics have been the subject of intense scrutiny after Russia passed anti-gay legislation last year. Putin has said gay people are welcome at the Games, but only if they stay away from children.
“The discrimination in Russia is unacceptable,” Michael Bach, CIDI CEO said in a statement. “As an organization, we want to show our support, especially for the athletes competing at the Olympics in Sochi.”
The online-only ad closes with the message: “The games have always been a little gay. Let’s fight to keep them that way”.
Human rights groups staged a day of global action yesterday in protest at Russia’s “anti-gay” laws, as the country prepares to host the Winter Olympics.
TV presenter Paul O’Grady and political campaigner Peter Tatchell took part in the rally in central London.
‘President Obama, in a clear message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation to Sochi made up of three openly gay athletes – tennis great Billie Jean King, 2006 Olympic hockey medalist Caitlin Cahow, and figure skater Brian Boitano.’ reports Metro.
‘Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff and her teammate Heath Spence are among 50 past and present Olympians to sign a petition calling on Russia to end its crackdown on gay rights ahead of the Sochi games’ reports Sky.
Also announced today > Channel 4 is to rebrand its on-screen logo with rainbow colours of the gay pride flag – and launch a TV ad campaign called “Gay Mountain” – joining the rising wave of protests. More info here.
Let the Games begin.
