Putin offers assurances on gay rights...

[Indi Guy]

Source: ESPN

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia -- President Vladimir Putin sought to ease concerns that Russia's new anti-gay law would be used to punish athletes who display rainbow flags during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, while insisting that gays are not discriminated against in his country.

"I assure you that I work with these people, I sometimes award them with state prizes or decorations for their achievements in various fields," Putin said in an interview with The Associated Press and Russia's state Channel 1 television late Tuesday. "We have absolutely normal relations, and I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."

He added that Russians love Tchaikovsky even though the composer was said to have been a homosexual. "Truth be told, we don't love him because of that, but he was a great musician and we all love his music," Putin said. Putin offered to meet with members of the gay and lesbian community if they asked to see him.

The law on "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," which Putin signed in July, makes it illegal to expose minors to information that portrays these relationships as normal or attractive. The law imposes hefty fines, while also subjecting foreign citizens to up to 15 days in prison...

Read more: http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/9632856/russia-president-vladimir-putin-offers-assurances-gay-rights-olympics

[davidpdx]

1. Two words:

Yeah right

[Sand Wind]

2. We have absolutely normal relations, and I don't see anything out of the ordinary here

Ridiculous !

[Indi Guy]

12. Maybe this pic is meant to soften his image with gays...

[Sand Wind]

13. Oh my god !

[Tx4obama]

3. Below is a link to the TWO full AP (orginal source) articles from the interview - re: LGBT topic

Putin offers assurances on gay rights at Olympics

Sep 4, 1:26 AM EDT

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin sought to ease concerns that Russia's new anti-gay law would be used to punish athletes who display rainbow flags during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, while insisting that gays are not discriminated against in his country.

"I assure you that I work with these people, I sometimes award them with state prizes or decorations for their achievements in various fields," Putin said in an interview with The Associated Press and Russia's state Channel 1 television late Tuesday. "We have absolutely normal relations, and I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."

He added that Russians love Tchaikovsky even though the composer was said to have been a homosexual. "Truth be told, we don't love him because of that, but he was a great musician and we all love his music," Putin said.

Putin offered to meet with members of the gay and lesbian community if they asked to see him.

-snip-

Full article here: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_PUTIN_SOCHI?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

AP Interview: Putin warns West on Syria action

Sep 4, 1:40 AM EDT

-snip-

On another topic, he denied at length charges that Russia has anti-gay policies, indicating that Obama was welcome to meet with gay and lesbian activists in Russia during his visit. He even said he might meet with a similar group himself if there is interest from the gay community in Russia.

Putin rejected the criticism of a Russian law banning gay propaganda that prompted some activists to call for the boycott of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, arguing that it wouldn't infringe on the rights of gays.

He also said that athletes and activists would not be punished if they raise rainbow flags or paint their fingernails in rainbow colors at the Feb. 7-23 Olympics.

But he clearly has no intention of allowing a gay pride parade or other such actions: Last month, Putin signed a decree banning all demonstrations and rallies in Sochi throughout the Winter Games.

-snip-

Full AP article here: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_PUTIN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-09-04-01-40-34

[Indi Guy]

4. Thanks Tx4obama; I was looking for that link...

Maybe Putin is softening the anti-gay rhetoric after his portrait was published

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Putin's variation of old "Some of my best friends are negros" crap used years ago & just Olympics.

It's all show just for the Olympics. Things will be smoothed over until they are over and then Putin and everybody else will turn a blind eye as roving bands of thugs beat up gays and suspected gays and break up their apartments and burn their cars, and worse. It will be a bad time in Russia for a guy to show a little flair or wear a little color.

[Indi Guy]

11. Putin is as uncomfortable about gay rights...

...as Bush was with setting up the 9/11 Omission.

[davidn3600]

6. I work with gay people! I have gay friends! I give awards to gay people!

It's all proof that I dont hate gay people!

What's that called? There is a psychology term that kind of thing when you exaggerate to show you are the opposite of what you really are... Like congnitive dissodance or something like that.

[Evasporque]

7. Vlad speaks...

"Just yesterday I award one of them boot to head. Then rode horse with my bareback."

[closeupready]

8. "We" who? Tchaikovsky's sensibility as a gay man helped him

create some of the most moving and beautiful music. So speak for yourself, Pootey-Poot - I love Tchaikovsky even more because he was gay.

[Daniel537]

9. Putin rocks!!

He's offered assurances on Syria, now he offers assurances on gay rights, too!!!! Dude is awesome. Someone get this stud a Nobel Peace Prize.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. ...