SOCHI, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin says gays should feel welcome at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, but they must “leave the children in peace.”
Putin told volunteers Friday that gays visiting Sochi “can feel calm and at ease,” and vowed that there would be no discrimination at the games. But he emphasized that, according to a law banning homosexual “propaganda” among minors, gays cannot express their views on gay rights issues to anyone underage.
Putin and other politicians have defended the June propaganda law as a protection of child rights, but critics believe that the law discriminates against sexual minorities.
In the wake of international outcry against the bill, Russian authorities have put limits on the right to protest during the Sochi games, which run Feb. 7-23.
- Cruise ship worker arrested, accused of stabbing 3 people with scissors
- RFK Jr. said worm ate part of his brain, died inside his head: 2012 deposition
- Canadian-Israeli citizen dead in Egypt, local authorities say probe is open
- Effort to oust U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson quickly rejected by lawmakers
Comments