Laurence Hewitt of New York, New York has started a petition on Change.org asking the U.S. Olympic Team to show their support for equal rights by flying the gay pride colors at the opening ceremony in Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Over the past few months, the world has been watching the increasing violence towards the LGBT community in Russia due to the passage of the anti-gay legislation.
Recently several athletes have been speaking out in support of equal rights in Russia. Athletes from the Canadian Olympic Committee have been participating in pride events across the country showing their support for the LGBT community. Two Swedish athletes recently painted their nails in rainbow colors at a track competition in Russia. Other athletes across the world are planning on showing other forms of support during the winter games.
“By carrying the Gay Pride flag alongside their country’s flag or wearing the colors on their uniform, athletes at the 2014 Sochi Olympics will be sending a strong message to the Russian government,” says Hewitt in his petition. “The athletes of the world should act with a single voice against this oppression.”
To learn more about this petition, click here for more information.
