A York Federation of Students motion to condemn the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, due to Russia’s anti-gay laws, was passed by members of the Canadian Federation of Students at their general meeting on November 24.
The motion was passed in response to an anti-gay law passed this past June in Russia. This law makes it illegal to equate gay or “non-traditional” relationships with traditional, or straight, relationships, and bans the distribution of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” in Russia.
Gayle McFadden, YFS’ vp campaigns and advocacy, says the YFS stands in solidarity with the LGBT community on campus.
“It’s really important we set a strong mandate, that we support our athletes, and support the LGBT community,” says McFadden. “We will not stand for these blatant violations in our sistering countries.”
The motion states that Russia’s law “effectively violates the rights of queer Russian residents, allies, athletes, and anyone who visits Russia before, during, and after the 2014 Olympic Winter games.”
The motion puts forward that CFS-affiliated student unions in Canada write a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper encouraging the Canadian government to boycott the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and condemns the Russian government’s law.
Additionally, it proposes that letters be sent to the International Olympic Committee, urging them to “rescind” the Olympic games, which begin in February 2014.
McFadden says this motion, which was enthusiastically passed at the provincial level within CFS-Ontario, has been in the works since the summer.
Additionally, McFadden says clauses were added to the motion, urging that letters be written to Olympic partners worldwide “condemning their inaction,” demanding they cease funding the Olympics, and asking companies to reiterate their commitment to human rights and social equity.
McFadden says human rights violations are being made legal within Russia.
“The YFS stands in solidarity with LGBT communities on this campus and across the world,” says McFadden. “We will not stop until we can halt these regressive laws and send a strong message that we’re fighting for equity.”
Brandon Vieira, the external coordinator to TBLGAY, says something needs to be said about Russia’s anti-gay laws and that athletes and spectators should be allowed to be “out and proud” while supporting their country at the Olympics.
“This is not about politics of a nation, this is about the world coming together for these games. I think it’s a good policy to put forward,” says Vieira.
Michael Burton
Executive Editor (Online)
