Group Study Case: Boycotting the Sochi Olympics - Marlo and Kristin

Russia recently passed a law that essentially prohibits people from ‘acting gay’ in public, Article 6.13.1. Propaganda of homosexualism among minors. The problem is the imprecise definition of “propaganda.” Without a distinct meaning, the law is left open to interpretation and could be enforced widely or not at all (Grim to Be Gay 1).  The Russian government maintains that the law’s intention is not meant to encourage discrimination against the LGBT community, but to protect the children. Critics, however, believe the broadly stated wording encourages rather than discourages discrimination and will likely lead to more problems for the LGBT community in Russia (Averko 1).

Some believe the motive behind this new legislation is political rather than moral. It is believed by some that Vladimir Putin is using this issue to differentiate himself from Europe and the West. Russia is defining their ‘cultural codes’ by what they are not: Western, liberal, modern (Grim to Be Gay 1). The LGBT community in Russia is paying the price for this.  Polina Andrianove of Coming Out, a campaign group, says “The law has given a green light to aggression.” A nasty new trend is the posting of videos online showing gay men tricked into meetings where they are humiliated by vigilantes (Grim to Be Gay 2).

Homophobic vigilantism is on the rise in Russia, according to many human rights organizations. Some rightwing groups are using social media to trick gay people into meetings where they are humiliated and beaten. Organized groups, such as Occupy Gerontophilia and Occupy Paedophilia, are rising up with a mission to “reform” homosexuals. The head of Occupy Paedophilia, Igor Kochetkov, said that most incidences are not reported to the police.  His organization found out about “20 attacks that had been reported, four were investigated and only one resulted in a court case” (Luhn, 1-2)

 While this new law seems to have support in Russia, the rest of the Western world is not happy and some are calling for boycotting the 2013 Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in Sochi. The former IOC President Jacques Rogge says they are waiting for clarification from the Russian government that the anti-gay propaganda law would not be applied to visitors to Sochi before having final judgment. (Smith, Morely, McGowan 2-3).

This month Thomas Bach was elected to succeed Rogge as IOC president. Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, believes it was time for a leader with “the vision to put human rights reforms in place and the will to enforce them.” He continues to say,

“Russia’s June 2013 anti-gay law blatantly violates the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and curtails the rights of athletes, sponsors, journalists, and spectators, as well as other Russian citizens and foreign visitors to free expression and equal treatment” (Olympics: Rights Agenda 1).

The arguments are whether or not Russia has breached their pledge to uphold the Olympic charter and whether or not the IOC has an obligation to get involved with the politics of the host country.

            The Human Rights Watch has written up a proposal that would ensure “future host countries have to meet benchmarks for compliance with human rights principles and the Olympic charter.” They believe Bach has an opportunity to make it clear that countries who wish to host the Olympic games need to meet high standards (Olympics: Rights Agenda 2).

            There are three basic principles featured in the Olympic charter that the Human Rights Watch has called on the IOC to uphold: The principle of human dignity, the principle of non-discrimination and the principle of media freedom.  

            On the other side of the argument, some gay athletes are asking that the Games go ahead in Sochi. These athletes argue that they have worked very hard for this opportunity and don’t want to miss their chance at going for a medal. New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup told CNN “ It’s very important for the world to show up in Sochi and be united in this issue, to bring light to and start a conversation about what is going on” (Smith, Morley, McGowan  7-8). With such a polarizing law being passed seven months before the Games, this will prove to be more about the host than ever before (Levy 5-6).

Links to further information:

1.     Athlete Ally: Olympic Sochi Movement Gaining Momentum: http://www.athleteally.org/news/olympic-sochi-movement-gaining-momentum/

2.     PolicyMic: I'm An Openly Gay Gold Medalist and I Reject the Sochi Olympics Boycott: http://www.policymic.com/articles/58481/i-m-an-openly-gay-gold-medalist-and-i-reject-the-sochi-olympics-boycott

3.     George Takei petitions: ‘Move the 2014 Winter Olympics out of Russia’: http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/07/george-takei-move-the-2014-winter-olympics-out-of-russia/

Discussion & Analysis:

1.     In the links above, you have heard from athletes on both sides of the argument of whether or not the 2014 Winter Olympics should take place in Sochi, now that human rights are in question. Which side do you think has a better argument and why?

2.     Some argue that Putin is using this new anti-LGBT legislation to make a political statement that Russia is not like Europe and the West. They believe this conservative nationalism has led to the increase in hate crimes across Russia. a) Do you agree with this viewpoint? Please explain. b) Do you think the Global exposure of the Olympics, and this issue in particular, will influence other countries sharing Russia’s animosity towards the US to follow suit and have an increase in hate crimes?

Westgate Mall Shooting and Tourism in Kenya

Like many of you, I have been closely following the mall shooting in Nairobi, Kenya. I found an article that discusses the attack and the potential implications for its budding tourism industry. Recently, several large hotel companies like The Hilton and Radison Blu have been making investments and planning to build new properties in Nairobi. For more information about the investments being made in the Nairobi hotel industry, click here. It seems logical that investors would begin to question spending millions of dollars on new properties if tourist are too scared to visit Nairobi due to its volatile past with tourists. 


Kenya has a history of violence and tourists abductions, which have tarnished its reputation. Back in 2011, a couple from England were abducted by Somali pirates, and the husband was killed. A short time later, an elderly French tourists was abducted as well. These were isolated incidents, but the mall attack has had a much greater impact on many more lives.

I'm interested in creating a discussion about possible PR solutions that an organization like the Kenya Tourism Federation may create to ensure that the recent mall attacks do not effect ongoing business. Per our discussions in class so far, I think one important step would be to get the word out about the precautionary safety measures that are being taken throughout the rest of Nairobi in response to this incident. I also think that garnering support through acknowledging the victims will be an important effort to recognize the events. But moving forward, how can Kenya position their destination as a safe one in the minds of potential visitors to the city of Nairobi, and Kenya in general. 




Ashley