In the debate surrounding the Russian anti-gay law, there is currently little hope that the Olympic host country will voluntarily give in. Instead, there is growing protest, including in this country: in the form of online petitions and a central demonstration, with kiss-ins - and penises for Putin.
For a short while, it seemed as if the international sports world would show demonstrative solidarity. The controversial Russian law, which prohibits "propaganda for homosexuality" in vague terms and thus criminalises any public positive mention of lesbians and gays, is a clear violation of human rights. Not only homosexuals see it this way, but also their sympathisers. Like the US athlete Nick Symmonds, for example. He dedicated his silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow to his gay and lesbian friends: "Whether you're gay, straight, black or white, we all deserve the same rights."
Sweden's Emma Green-Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer competed in the World Cup qualifying rounds with fingernails painted in the colours of the rainbow. A very discreet sign of solidarity and protest, one might think. Nevertheless, Green-Tregaro was reprimanded by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and her colourful nails were deemed improper behaviour.
Russian world champion Yelena Issinbayeva was far more drastic in her criticism. She described the colourful nail varnish as "disrespectful to our people and athletes. We are Russians, we may be different from the Europeans, but we don't put our rules above theirs. I support our government." And thus also the controversial law against homosexuals. "If we allow all these things on our streets, we would be afraid for our nation." This blatant homophobia was no reason for the IAAF to reprimand him.
Muzzle for homo-friendly athletes
One thing is already clear: not much more protest can be expected from the sports federations and the Olympic Committee. On the contrary. They have - discreetly but clearly - muzzled all athletes.
While athletes who show solidarity - regardless of whether they are gay, lesbian or straight - must now expect to be excluded from competitions or even sued in Russia, and Russia's gays and lesbians have to live with increasing repression, we have every opportunity to protest.
And indeed, new, creative actions of all kinds are emerging every day, with people showing solidarity with gays and lesbians in Russia and protesting against the "propaganda law".
In Stockholm, for example, unidentified people painted the zebra crossing in front of the Russian Embassy in the colours of the rainbow. A few weeks ago, many gay bars in the USA painted Russian vodka as a sign of protest from their drinks menus. Restaurants in other countries have since followed suit.
Anyone who would prefer to get involved with their signature instead of high-proof spirits can do so at the Online petition "End the oppression of the LGBT community in Russia" do. It calls on the Berlin Senate to suspend the city partnership with Moscow.
More than 350,000 people have already signed an international protest note to the Russian government. Another petition calls on the German Olympic Sports Confederation to send a clear signal against homophobia in Russia.
The Facebook group "LGBT against Putin" is a somewhat more unconventional protest: Here, people are collectively giving the finger to those responsible in Russia. And at "Draw dicks on Vladimir Putin„ Putin is creatively and massively exposed as a cock and man lover through the use of Photoshop.
"Open your Mouth" - Demo in Berlin
The life-threatening situation of gays, lesbians, transsexuals and intersexuals in Russia was also the topic of conversation at a games evening with a group of friends in Berlin almost three weeks ago. "One of us said: 'If only I could do something ...' And that's when the idea was born: We'll organise a demonstration!" says Alfonso Pantisano. "We started planning the next morning." "Enough is enough - Open your Mouth" is the motto of this demonstrationwhich people from all over Germany are expected to attend.
Initially, Alfonso and his friends expected perhaps 200 to 300 participants. To be on the safe side, they stated 2000 when registering for the demonstration. It seems that even more people are likely to gather on Saturday 31 August at the corner of Kurfürstendamm and Bleibtreustrasse to march together in front of the Russian Embassy on Unter den Linden from 12 noon. The response to the protest rally so far has taken Alfonso and his team completely by surprise. "We receive emails and phone calls every day from people all over Germany who want to support us. They donate money to the project so that we can cover the costs of a well-organised demonstration. If there are any funds left over, we will send them to LGBT projects in Russia. We are overwhelmed by the energy that this project is generating in the community!"
Drag queen Barbie Breakout, who recently caused a nationwide sensation with her shocking protest video (she sewed her mouth shut), is also involved in the planning.
"Many of us are sacrificing our annual leave to organise our demonstration. We start at 7.30 in the morning and finish the day around midnight. We often forget that we should perhaps eat something in between. It's madness!" says Alfonso enthusiastically. There is also a video appeal on the "Enough is enough" website, which can be shared via social media, as well as banners and profile pictures for Facebook and Gayromeo.
On 8 September, the Russian embassy in Berlin will once again receive an unwanted visit, as will all other Russian embassies and consulates around the world. This includes Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. "To Russia With Love" is the name of this global kiss-in organised online. At 3 p.m. sharp, people will hopefully be snogging in droves in front of the embassies. In Russia, this would most certainly be cause for a mass arrest.
