1. The Russian LGBT Network opened up to NPR about what it’s doing to help gay men being rounded up...
The Human Rights Campaign kicked off a popular campaign protesting Russia's anti-gay law with a Russian-language "Love Conquers Hate" t-shirt being sported by such gay celebs as Ricky Martin, Tim Gunn, NBA basketball player Jason Collins and soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
"We stand with Russia's LGBT community and their allies," HRC President Chad Griffin said. "We are committed to doing as much as we possibly can to support their efforts to repeal this heinous law."
All Out, an LGBT organization, is urging Coca-Cola based in Atlanta to speak out against Russia's anti-gay laws before the 2014 Winter Olympics are held in Sochi.
Billboard trucks rented plastered with "Speak out against against Russia's anti-gay laws" circled the company's downtown Atlanta headquarters on Monday and a few All Out protesters also held signs outside the Coca-Cola headquarters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told the head of the International Olympic Committee Monday that gay people will be welcome at the 2014 Winter games in Sochi despite the country's anti-gay law passed earlier this year that has been the subject of calls for boycotts and severe criticism.
"We are doing everything, both the organizers and our athletes and fans, so that participants and guests feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation" Putin told Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to a report by Reuters.
The Atlanta Pride Committee expressed concern today via a letter over the safety of gay and lesbian athletes and others in the American delegation ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
In the letter, the Atlanta Pride's Board Chair Glenn Paul Freedman encourages Lawrence Probst, chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, to use his position to keep the pressure on the International Olympic Committee ahead of the games to ensure the safety of LGBT athletes, tourists and others invovled with the games.
Freedman also offered to supply the American delegation rainbow flags to carry during the opening ceremony's Parade of Nations. See Freedman's letter, which was also sent to Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), Secretary of State John Kerry and others, below.