With the London 2012 Olympics and Para-Olympic games coming to an end Olympic focus is shifting to the next games, the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Outside of the general questionable human rights issues within Russia (most recently surrounding the arrest and sentencing of the punk group Pussy Riot) the country has been increasingly hostile towards LGBTQ people. 

Moscow recently put a 100 year ban in place on Pride Parades, St. Petersburg and several other municipalities have put laws in place banning the “promotion of homosexuality” with this set to be introduced for politicians to put this in place nationally. The Pride House (introduced in 2010 at the Vancouver Olympics and present at the London games as well) has been banned from taking part in the Sochi games by the organizers there. 

The IOC has yet to address what they are going to do to ensure the safety of openly LGBTQ athletes at the games, especially if a national law against “promoting homosexuality” is put in place. How will the IOC address openly gay athletes, coaches, team member, or even members of the press/media from broadcasting or tweeting about being LGBTQ. Will an athlete/coach/member’s tweet thanking their same-sex partner for their support be seen as promoting homosexuality? Will the broadcasters be banned from having an athlete and their same-sex partners on air? 

One thing that is certain is despite the introduction of the United Nations recognizing LGBTQ rights as human rights the IOC does not seem to share this opinion. It will be interesting to see whether or not how LGBTQ athletes will be welcomed will be something the IOC considers when considering future bids for the games, clearly it was not something consider with the selection of Sochi. 

Let me first begin by saying I love George Takei, I love Vancouver, and I love the Olympics. I was even present at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and visited the pride house in Whistler. It was amazing. 

As most well know Russia has become an inhospitable place for LGBTQ people (I’d like to say recently but that just isn’t the case). Municipalities have placed 100 year bans on pride parades, people from countries where same-sex marriage is allowed cannot adopt Russian children, and now homosexual propaganda to minors (anyone under 18) is illegal. The last law is so vague however that people are being arrested for wearing rainbow suspenders in public. Effectively it has made advocating for LGBTQ rights in Russia illegal, as well as any public signs of support, public displays of affection (including holding hands), or even saying you are gay without expressing shame and disgust. Certain episodes of TV shows, and some entire TV shows, are now illegal. Certain performers are banned and being pursued by the authorities there (Madonna, Lady Gaga). Some movies will never see the light of day there again either, or will only be sold on the black market there (like weapons, or exotic animals). 

The latest law has put into question the feasibility of lawyers defending clients or trying to change the laws to be more supportive, as doing so would effectively be breaking the law. 

The situation there is dire. With rumors of a law coming up that would remove children from LGBTQ parents within Russia the situation is only set to become worse. It is, as Harvey Fierstein wrote recently, starting to be eerily reminiscent of Germany circa 1936, and we even have an Olympics to go along with it - Sochi 2014. 

Russian vodka is being dropped as quickly as Amanda Bynes’ career. Calls for boycotts of the games, from viewing to participating, have been fast and furious. But why punish the athletes who have worked so hard to get where they are and who have been working towards this moment most of their lives? 

Enter George Takei who proposed that we move the games back to Vancouver. 

In an ideal world it would be great to have Vancouver take the Olympics away from the dictatorial evil homophobic piece of shit country (apologies to the lovely Russian people who support LGBTQ rights but it is true). Reality is a bitch however. Let’s examine the issues. 

1. Housing. The athlete’s villages that were built for the 2010 games are now housing units where people currently live. Where are we going to put all of the athletes, trainers, coaches, and other support staff? Buy up a tonne of hotels?
2. Security. Security preparations for the Olympics is an enormous undertaking and take at least a year to prepare, Vancouver would need to do that in 6 months, a task I’m not sure is feasible. 
3. Venues. Some venues, like the long track speed skating oval, have been re-purposed and are being used for things like basketball and hockey. 
4. Opening ceremonies. If people thought that the opening in 2010 was lack luster (I didn’t but the British papers did, not that there’s was any better) then they shouldn’t expect much if it were moved to Vancouver.
5. Visas. The visa process for athletes can be quite long and intense, 6 months would be cutting it a little close for some. 

I would love nothing more than for Vancouver to have the Olympics again but I honestly don’t see how it would be logistically possible. 

Instead I think that athletes should march into those opening ceremonies loud and proud waiving giant pride flags (or in the case of my country the Canada flag with a rainbow maple leaf) wearing unicorn horns and holding hands with someone of the same-sex. Really drive the point home that the rest of the world will not tolerate your medieval laws and blatant hatred towards an entire people. That the rest of the world is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Send a giant F U and your law to Russia. 

Mixed feelings about Toronto not going for the 2024 Olympic bid. I’m not sure how competitive the city will be in 2028 or 2032 compared to others. If a North American city gets 2024 it won’t be worth putting in a bid until 2036.

Then I think “do I even want a homophobic organization like the IOC involved in my city anyway?”

The IOC doesn’t even have the guts to just release a statement saying what's happening in Russia is wrong and they disagree with it. In fact they have said they will punish any athletes who they deem protesting the law (and they refuse to spell out what that means, it could be kissing or even mentioning their partner, it could be wearing a rainbow pin). Their complacency might as well have been approval.

Perhaps Toronto dropping their bid for 2024 is a blessing in disguise. A city whose greatest strength is it’s acceptance (not tolerance) and celebration of others no matter where they are from, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, gender, physical ability or religion should not be vying for something that clearly does not hold the same value in equality as it does.