Russia

If Russia is eventually freed from Vladimir Putin’s tyranny, it will partially be a result of LGBT people fighting this rogue nation’s state-sponsored terror apparatus. Worldwide efforts are now underway to pressure this petro police state into abolishing its recently passed anti-gay laws. … What is occurring in Russia is a psychotic pogrom against homosexuals. The goal is to terrorize and humiliate LGBT people and make their lives a living hell. Such ignorant bullying and cruel barbarism will not stand and Russia will pay a prohibitive price for its outrageous actions.

CHICAGO – Equality Illinois on Tuesday urged the City of Chicago to suspend its sister city relationship with Moscow as part of a concerted effort to protest Russia’s criminalization of gay rights activism.

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.

We’ve all heard the quotes, right? There are reports of Russia beating up LGBT people — bad — and enacting percussion around them, stripping them of rights and sending them to detention camps. Now the Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in Russia next winter. What to do, what to do? Boycott the games? Boycott vodka?

Tony award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein (“Kinky Boots,” “Torch Song Trilogy”), sounded off to The Hollywood Reporter this week on Russia’s anti-gay laws, and Orson Scott Card, author of “Enders Game,” anti-gay activist and former board member of the National Organization for Marriage.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee on Friday said it had received “assurances from the highest level” of the Russian government that athletes and spectators attending the the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi are exempt from an anti-gay statue that outlaws “homosexual propaganda.”

LGBT activists, led by Seattle-based advice columnist and “It Gets Better” campaign founder Dan Savage, have launched a boycott of Russian vodka in response to anti-gay legislation signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin, and increased violence against LGBT citizens in Russia.

KAMENSK-URAL, Russia — A network of loosely organized groups of Russian ultra-nationalists are targeting LGBT youth for bullying and assault by creating fake social media profiles and gay personals to attract unsuspecting victims.

LANSING, Mich. — Officials in Lansing could end their community’s “sister cities” relationship with the Russian city of St. Petersburg due to that country’s anti-gay policies.

MURMANSK, Russia — Four Dutch filmmakers, including an elected Dutch city official, were arrested and briefly detained in this northern Russian city Sunday on charges of “spreading homosexual propaganda” under the country’s new anti-gay laws.