In light of the recent anti-gay laws enacted in Russia combined with the detention of a foreign film crew, we are asking the Obama Administration withdraw the United States Olympic Team from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The criminalization, jailing, and beating of homosexuals and their supporters by Russian government and police forces must be met with strong condemnation and political pressure.
No assurance has been made by the Russian government that the world's gay athletes and Olympic supporters would be protected from discrimination or jailing. The United States cannot allow such an injustice to occur. We feel for our athletes that have dedicated their lives to training for this opportunity, but I hope that they too would stand up for their fellow athletes and citizens.