NDP calls for visa ban on anti-gay Russian legislators

Petition launched for action on LGBT rights in Russia


The federal New Democratic Party is calling on the government to take action on LGBT rights in Russia and is taking to the streets to build support for a visa ban on Russian legislators responsible for the recent homophobic laws passed in the Russian Duma.

The NDP launched its campaign with a petition-signing event at the Alexander Wood statue on the corner of Church and Alexander streets Sept 21.

The NDP’s foreign affairs critic, Paul Dewar, Toronto Centre candidate Linda McQuaig, Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns, and defeated Toronto Centre nominee Jennifer Hollett all braved the rain to tell people about Russia’s recently passed laws banning “gay propaganda” and newly proposed laws threatening to take children away from LGBT parents.

While much of the attention on LGBT rights in Russia stems from the country’s upcoming hosting of the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year, Dewar says that the NDP is opposed to a boycott of the Games.

“The grassroots activists on the ground in Russia have been saying please don’t call for a boycott because we want this to be about LGBT rights not about the Olympics,” he says. “We need to see people speaking out, not just when there’s a flashpoint as in the case of Russia/Sochi; it has to be ongoing. This should be something we remember for every Olympics. This is an opportunity for the world to celebrate excellence but also excellence in human rights.”

Hollett, who was working at a girls’ rights summit in Russia earlier this summer, says that it’s important for Canadians to take a stand for rights in places where free expression is dangerous.

“When you’re in Russia, even when you’re just talking about human rights and gay rights, you kind of look around and think a claw is going to come down, grab you and eject you from the country,” she says. “Part of the reason I’m out here in the rain getting signatures for LGBT rights in Russia is because Russians can’t do that. I think there’s a responsibility for global citizens to stand up and fight for human rights, especially for those who can’t.”

The NDP says it collected about 200 signatures at the event.

 

You can sign the petition at petition.ndp.ca/lgbt-rights-in-russia.

Rob Salerno is a playwright and journalist whose writing has appeared in such publications as Vice, Advocate, NOW and OutTraveler.

Read More About:
Power, Politics, News, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Canada

Keep Reading

The new generation of gay Conservative sellouts

OPINION: Melissa Lantsman’s and Eric Duncan’s refusals to call out their party’s transphobia is a betrayal of the LGBTQ2S+ community

Over 300 anti-LGBTQ2S+ bills have been introduced this year. This doesn’t mean we should panic

OPINION: While it’s important to watch out for threats, not all threats are created equally. Some of these bills will die a natural death

Xtra’s top LGBTQ2S+ stories of the year

The best and brightest—even most bewildering—stories from a back catalogue brimming with insight

Elon Musk and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton are suing Media Matters. Here’s why queer and trans people should care

OPINION: When politicians and the rich leverage the power of the state to quell dissent, we all lose