10 Reasons Russia Is a Much Crueler Place Than the Cuddly Snowy Image It's Projecting at Sochi
http://www.alternet.org/world/awful-russian-policies
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1. Gay Propaganda Law
Russia’s brutal targeting of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population has attracted the lion’s share of press coverage and activist initiatives around the world related to the Olympics. The first anti-gay law passed in the Russian legislature last year and was signed by Putin on June 30. The bill bans “propaganda” about “non-traditional” sexual relations around children. It is written so broadly that it effectively bars any positive discussion of gay rights or any action labeled as gay around children. The legislation imposes fines of up to $156 for an individual and $31,000 for media organizations, and could also lead to the arrests of LGBT people.
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2. Russian Adoption Law
On July 3, Putin signed into law a bill barring gay couples from adopting Russian-born children. In addition, the legislation bans the adoption of Russian children by any parents who live in a country where marriage equality is the law. In a statement released after the bill was passed, the Kremlin said: “The measure is aimed at guaranteeing a harmonious and full upbringing for children in adoptive families.” The legislation was supported by right-wing American evangelicals like the National Organization for Marriage president.
3. Foreign Agents Law
In 2012, a law was passed targeting non-governmental organizations that receive money from abroad. It forces NGOs in Russia working on issues ranging from LGBT rights to corruption to register as “foreign agents” with the government. Since its passage, Russian authorities have investigated thousands of nonprofits suspected of being “foreign agents.” Some organizations have suffered hefty fines. A few groups that could not withstand the fines were forced to shut down over the law.
4. Anti-Gay Violence
The anti-gay laws have contributed to an environment in Russia where being gay is seen as a crime. The legislation has institutionalized homophobia, and LGBT activists say the bills are encouraging violence against gays. In September 2013, the Guardian reported that activists told the newspaper, “the legislation has emboldened rightwing groups who use social media to ‘ambush’ gay people, luring them to meetings and then humiliating them on camera—sometimes pouring urine on them.” Gay teenagers have been particularly targeted.
= new reply since forum marked as read
On July 3, Putin signed into law a bill barring gay couples from adopting Russian-born children. In addition, the legislation bans the adoption of Russian children by any parents who live in a country where marriage equality is the law. In a statement released after the bill was passed, the Kremlin said: “The measure is aimed at guaranteeing a harmonious and full upbringing for children in adoptive families.” The legislation was supported by right-wing American evangelicals like the National Organization for Marriage president.
Now, to address your Strawpeople...
Fact: there is no law in Russia disallowing gay Russian people to adopt children. That isn't what the excerpt said. It said gay COUPLES, not single people.) Being gay is not a crime in Russia. (No one said it was. Logical fallacy known as a "strawman."
Russia had open military service before the USA. (Yes and no. It is more complicated than how you state it. Gays were no longer allowed to claim "homosexuality" as a reason for not serving.) Russia allows legal name changes and blood donation by gay people. (Always good to anchor with the truth, but these are far and away some of the least important rights for gay people.)
Russia is certainly not a welcoming environment for gay people and that is sad, but to ignore the nations that actually make homosexuality ILLEGAL is Russophobic.
That is just laughable. Not only is it a logical fallacy, it isn't true. Who are these people "ignoring" other nations' horrific stance on GLBT people? If you pop into the LGBT group (a protected safe-haven group at DU3), you will see many of the countries you have listed and some you haven't being discussed. As a matter of fact, you can go over there and sign the petition to stop the law in Uganda!
Gay people and our TRUE allies are able to multitask. We can slam Russia, whilst shouting down the current stupidity in Tennessee. We aren't limited. Oh sure, there are those who are using the current homophobia in Russia for political reasons, just as there are those who are using arguments like yours to deflect from the homophobia in Russia.
but can he stand my Side Eye?!11
***i don't THINK so...
I wonder if they would dispute this fact.
How anti-gay groups use 'Russian Facebook' to persecute LGBT people
Widespread homophobia affects Russia’s online communities - and little is being done to stop it.
While the world tunes in to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, hundreds of gay, lesbian, and transgender Russian citizens will be persecuted and attacked; the result of plots formed online by homophobic groups buoyed up by Putin’s anti-gay propaganda laws.
“Occupy Paedophilia” was one of the leading groups to feature in a Channel 4 Dispatches programme, broadcast last Wednesday, which exposed the extent of the violence faced by the LGBT community. The group has a prominent presence on VK, with over 90,000 followers – as well as other local factions pulling in more supporters.
Occupy Paedophilia use the site to connect with gay men, posing as potential love interests, before luring them into situations where they will be attacked, a process they refer to as “safaris” using “bait”.
Uploaded regularly to the site, films show victims being violently attacked and humilliated. This is content that is easily available to view, and is “liked”, passed around, and shared on the site, seemingly without impediment.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/11/russia-violent-anti-gay-groups-vkontakte-lgbt-sochi
so yes, I saw them. Will watch the rest tomorrow.
They hurt my soul, I can only imagine what they do to yours.
that we lost the 2010 elections 
It was mostly being used at people that keep using "Comrade" to refer to people that oppose the NSA. There's only about three of them, so it wasn't being slung around much. Now that the people defending Russia's bigotry are picking it up, I think I'm going to have to abandon the word to avoid confusion.
It will be fun when they start accusing people that are openly socialist of red baiting.
