Dozens of Greek activists peacefully protested today against Russia's anti-gay laws, at the Olympic flame passage through central Athens, ahead of the handover of the Olympic flame to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics organisers.
The activists gathered on the Acropolis Museum's steps, raising rainbow flags and holding banners reading "Homophobia is not in the Spirit of the Olympics" and "Love is not Propaganda".
The activists declared in a statement: "Russia receives the Olympic flame, a globally recognized symbol of humanitarian ideals. Yet the laws in Russia are far from the ideals of human rights when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, queer people, who are tortured, abused and discriminated against. We choose not to be silent this day".
Recently, the IOC was satisfied because it's convinced that Russia will respect the Olympic charter and there will be no discrimination during 2014 Sochi Olympics.
But, after passing the law banning gay propaganda last June, the situation of LGBT people in Russia is becoming increasingly difficult and the homophobic climate has reached unacceptably levels. Critics confirm that law effectively bans all gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.
The Olympic flame lighting using the sun’s rays,
at ancient Olympia's ceremony
A moment of the activists protest in Athens
Russia,and the president of Russia,should be cut down to size. I'm añ American living in America,I was born in Tacoma Washington . And iv seen though out the years how Russia,likes ti Flexs it's muscles one in a while right let America and other country know that thay still are a power to be recond.However; Russia,always disrupts the would with there flexing of there so called muscles. Russia would do good to lision to the pope of the Vadicion.That the pope said that to many people are fixsated on us gays lesibons transgenders or what ever.That the people should move on and let them that are gay and so foth alone and to live and let live. And to love each other. I hope what my voice may be heard not just for me but also for other GLBT,TV mand so on. Thank You.
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