In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law which criminalized the distribution of "gay propaganda" to minors. Under this law holding LGBT rallies is prohibited as is using the media or Internet to disseminate pro-LGBT information with punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment and deportation. Moreover, Russian politicians have explicitly stated that LGBT athletes and spectators will be prosecuted should they break the law during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
We must take stand against this draconian and homophobic law which punishes the LGBT community and silences their freedom of speech. We ask that the U.S. announce a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics until the law is repealed in full and the safety of our LGBT athletes and spectators can be assured.