The mayor of Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics, says that no gays live there.  (Photo Credit: Facebook)
The mayor of Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics, says that no gays live there.
(Photo Credit: Facebook)

BBC News is reporting that Anatoly Pakhomov, mayor of Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, has said that no gay people live in Sochi. The author writes:

“Anatoly Pakhomov said homosexuals were welcome at the Games – as long as they ‘respect Russian law’ and ‘don’t impose their habits on others'”.

Pakhomov’s statement was in response to opposition leader Boris Nemtsov’s statement that there were several gay bars in Sochi. The author continues:

“In June 2013, Russia passed a law banning the promotion of “non-traditional” sexuality to under-18s – widely seen as an attack on gay rights.

The controversial new law made providing information on homosexuality to to citizens under the age of 18 a crime, punishable by a fine.

Critics say its loose interpretation effectively stops gay rights protests in Russia.

Anatoly Pakhomov, a member of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, told Panorama that gay people would be welcome at the Games.”

Read more at BBC News.

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