Vladimir Putin

• Birth date: 1952
  

MOSCOW — The International Olympic Committee is waiting for the Russian government to clarify the anti-gay law that is overshadowing preparations for the Sochi Games.

UNITED NATIONS — Gay rights activists confronted Russia’s U.N. ambassador Thursday and tried to hand over a petition with more than 340,000 signatures urging world leaders to help eliminate anti-gay laws in Russia ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.

LONDON — The Winter Olympics in Sochi should not be affected by the heightened political tensions between the United States and Russia over Edward Snowden, gay rights and other issues, a vice president of the IOC said Wednesday.

LONDON — International Olympic officials should use “all the avenues possible” with the Russian government to ensure that athletes competing at next year’s Winter Games in Sochi aren’t affected by a new anti-gay law, IOC presidential candidate Richard Carrion said Friday.

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.

MOSCOW — Russia will enforce a new law cracking down on gay rights activism when it hosts international athletes and fans during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the country’s sports minister said Thursday, appearing to contradict assurances to the contrary from the International Olympic Committee.

NEW YORK — To protest recent anti-gay laws passed in Russia, two dozen gay rights activists gathered in front of the Russian Consulate in New York City on Wednesday to pour bottles of Russian vodka in the street to demonstrate how they are boycotting the purchase of Russian products.

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.

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.

MEXICO CITY — LGBT activists on Friday assembled outside the Russian embassy in Mexico City to protest the country’s adoption of anti-gay laws.

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill that sharply limits the adoption of Russian children by people from countries that allow same-sex marriage.

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure that stigmatizes gay people and bans giving children any information about homosexuality.

NOVO-OGAREVO, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned that agreements with other countries on the matter of adoption of Russian children may be changed to ban such adoptions if those countries legalize same-sex marriage.

AMSTERDAM — After getting an earful from Chancellor Angela Merkel on the importance of democratic issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Amsterdam on Monday to face an eyeful of protests from gay rights activists.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is to be quizzed directly tomorrow over anti-gay laws. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, told activists on Tuesday that she would raise the discriminatory laws at the EU-Russia summit.