President Obama, we implore you to publicly address, and denounce, Vladimir Putin's persecution of gay Russians and those who support gay rights. We need a world leader to speak out against Russia's "repellent laws and repressive practices that could send them [gay people], and anyone who dares defend them, to jail." (nytimes.com, 7/27/2012).
You have dauntlessly stood up for the rights of LGBT citizens here in our country. Please take that stand beyond our borders and call upon other world leaders to speak out. Putin must be held accountable for this atmosphere of antigay sentiment he is fostering.
Our country, as well as others, remained silent as a singled out segment of humanity was persecuted in the 1930's and 40's. The world cannot be silent again. History must not be repeated.