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Russia says ‘calm down,’ rights will be respected at Sochi Games
MOSCOW — Urging critics of Russia’s new anti-gay law to “calm down,” the country’s sports minister said Thursday that the rights of all athletes competing at next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi will be respected.
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Russian anti-gay extremists claim recent torture victim has died
An anti-gay Russian Ultra-nationalist known for using social media to target LGBT youth in Russia, claims that one of his victims, an alleged “teen” who was tortured and depicted in a widely circulated photo last week, has died.
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Madonna, Lady Gaga could face charges in Russia for violating visas
MOSCOW — Madonna and Lady Gaga, two of the biggest pop stars in the world, could face charges in Russia over allegations that they violated their tourist visas when they held concerts there last year, but observers say the warning is a veiled attempt punish them for their vocal opposition to Russia’s anti-gay laws.
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IOC using ‘quiet diplomacy’ with Russian leaders to ensure Olympic safety
LONDON — International Olympic Committee presidential candidate Ng Ser Miang says the Olympic body is engaged in “quiet diplomacy” with Russian leaders to make sure next year’s Winter Games in Sochi are not affected by the country’s new anti-gay legislation.
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Russian paratroopers attack gay activist during military pride celebration
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — A lone gay rights activist was confronted by a group of Russian paratroopers in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday as he waved a gay pride banner in direct violation of the country’s anti-gay “propaganda” laws.
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Amsterdam floods pink for annual Gay Pride festival
AMSTERDAM — Rainbow flags are flying from scores of Amsterdam buildings as tens of thousands of festival-goers, many dressed in pink or wearing studded leather, party it up at one of the city’s biggest events: the annual Gay Pride celebration.
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Latvian distiller owner tries to defuse boycott of Stoli vodka
RIGA, Latvia — Many gay bars in North America have stopped selling the famous Stolichnaya vodka brand to protest Russia’s crackdown on the gay community. But the vodka’s maker has joined forces with Latvia’s leading gay rights group to say that the boycott is misplaced.
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Swedish embassy in Moscow refuses to fly rainbow flag during Stockholm Pride
MOSCOW — The Swedish embassy in Moscow rejected calls to raise the rainbow flag during Stockholm Pride week, which started Tuesday.
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Transgender woman killed in Istanbul, fourth trans victim in Turkey this year
ISTANBUL, Turkey — A transgender woman who worked as florist has been found dead in her Istanbul apartment, the fourth transgender person to be murdered in the country in the past seven months.
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Russian lawmaker says anti-gay law must be enforced during Winter Olympics
MOSCOW — A leading member of the legislative assembly of the city and region around St. Petersburg, Russia, and a co-author of the national law signed last month by Russian President Vladimir Putin which criminalizes public displays of affection between same-sex couples and events that promote gay rights, is urging the Putin administration to “refrain from selective enforcement” of the legislation.