Like a lot of folks, I’ve been hearing a lot recently about
the human-rights-defying anti-gay laws passed in Russia, particularly in the
context of the upcoming Winter Olympics.
British comedian Stephen Fry just wrote an open letter to Prime MinisterDavid Cameron suggesting a boycott or relocation of the games from Russia. On the other side of the issue, Johnny Weir (American figure skater, openly gay man, and sequin aficionado) has spoken out
against an Olympic boycott, saying it would just hurt people who had nothing to
do with the laws.
What are civilized people supposed to do? On one hand, going ahead with the games and
hiding behind the shibboleth that “the majesty of sport transcends political
issues” isn’t an option. It amounts to
tacit approval of gross immorality. But
would a boycott really do anything constructive? Is it even possible to change
the location of the games at this late date? Is punishing the athletes (the
folks the games are ultimately about) to “send a message” a just thing to do?
I’ve been trying to think of what an approach of creative,
constructive nonviolence might look like as a solution to this issue, based on
the reading and coursework I’ve done in this area. And I might just have come up with a
solution.
Four words: The Gayest Games Ever!
