The Sochi Olympics’ anti-gay policies are not sitting well with Toronto’s gay community which is planning a rally on Feb. 6 at the Russian consulate.
The controversial Russian law came into effect in July after president Vladimir Putin outlawed gay “propaganda” that could be accessible to minors.
The law is so restrictive that it prevents any form of positive expression or support of gay rights.
International LGBT protests target Sochi – “anti-gay laws are preventing the Olympic values being lived”: http://t.co/q3Aat0CykK
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) February 5, 2014
People around the globe are outraged by these restrictions and Toronto is not alone. As the backlash towards Sochi starts to flood in over social media, companies like AT &T are also taking a stance against the Russian law.
AT & T is the first Olympic brand to condemn the law. In a post on its consumer blog the telecom company said that it supports LGBT equality globally and that it condemns violence and discrimination against individuals.
USA team sponsor AT&T goes for the jugular in its condemnation of Russia’s antigay legislation in leadup to Sochi http://t.co/S3ue6CuFhO
— SHATTERJAPAN (@ShatterjapanMag) February 6, 2014
As members of Toronto’s LGBT community and Pridehouse TO prepare to protest, an infamous Torontonian has gone against the grain.
It comes as no surprise that perennial Gay Pride Parade non-supporter Rob Ford has said that he will not attend Toronto’s biggest celebration this summer, the World Pride Parade.
He told a groups of students at the University of Toronto that he is not going to change the way he is. His brother Doug Ford said he didn’t want to see men running down the street “buck naked”.
