by Mel McElhatton
With what is currently going on in Russia regarding LGBT issues it’s no wonder that there has been a big reaction to the Sochi
Winter Olympics on social media. Over the past
few weeks my timeline (and I’m sure that of many others) has exploded with
many video reactions to Russia's stance of LGBT rights; some are parodies, some are adverts, others are in the style of a PSA but they all speak a very clear message.
For those of
you under a rock, or those who haven’t been on Facebook or social media lately
(yeah, right), here is a list of the top five video reactions to Sochi that have made the rounds. (In no particular order).
From Norway: The main
protagonist is a highly desirable woman who is being chased in various funny
ways by athletes showing off their abilities. Not surprising considering the
advert is about XXL Sports...however, lo and behold, right before boarding the
plane...she kisses a woman.
From the UK: Now this video
is a real charmer. This bright, in your face parody, changes the lyrics in the
Russian National Anthem and makes them...well...fabulous. If you are looking
for a laugh, especially if it is related to Putin, then I highly recommend this
video. I also propose for this to become Russia’s unofficial national anthem.
Can you imagine this being played at the Games?
Even Canada came
out to show support for LGBT in Russia. This extremely short clip shows
bobsledding in a suggestive (*ahem* completely gay) way. This video pokes fun
at not just Putin and his discrimination laws, but also Sochi and the Winter
Olympics being held in a country where it is illegal for two people of the same-sex
to hold hands in public.
This is
undoubtedly one of the most horrifying and heartbreaking videos I have seen.
This video presents cut-scenes between players preparing for a game and a
marriage proposal between two men. However, what should be a beautiful moment
between two people who love each other gets knocked down ...literally and
figuratively when the players attack one of the men while holding back
the partner to watch. And as if this were not bad enough, the crowd is
cheering. And the terrible realisation dawns on you: that children are going to
grow up with this hatred and consider it normal to discriminate against people
of the same-sex. The end of the video reminds us that Russia is not the only country with these terrible laws. In Uganda being gay could result in life imprisonment, in Saudi Arabia it is death by public stoning.
We have enough
decisions in our life as it is: ‘shall I start my diet tomorrow and eat that
cookie now?’, ‘Will I buy that lace lingerie for my partner?’. With all these
important and pressing decisions, why make choosing your dream over love be one
of them?
It should have
been a moment of pride to win the gold for our protagonist, but all she can see
is the one person she wants to celebrate this victory with...and cannot. There
is a screen between them, keeping apart the athlete from the woman with a heart
that loves. This video ends with a very good question ‘What if living your
dream meant living a lie?’. The film also makes reference to the Olympic Games’
no discrimination principles...but where’s the respect in Sochi? And more
importantly, every day people are being forced to choose living a lie because
being themselves, and loving who they love, has suddenly become illegal, because that person is the same sex as themselves.
While it is important for there to be this international on Russia's infringement of Human Rights, let us not forget about the other countries, with similar or worse laws than Russia, who however are not under scrutiny as they aren't hosting the Winter Olympics. Or because they aren't as big as Russia.
A rather comprehensive list can be found here.
While it is important for there to be this international on Russia's infringement of Human Rights, let us not forget about the other countries, with similar or worse laws than Russia, who however are not under scrutiny as they aren't hosting the Winter Olympics. Or because they aren't as big as Russia.
A rather comprehensive list can be found here.
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