Rep. Takano indicates concern for security at Winter Olympics after anti-LGBT legislation and violence

by Brian Leubitz

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) authored a letter to the US Olympic Committee questioning security for athletes and fans at next year’s Winter Olympics. The pair cited the increasing hostility and violence furthered by a flood of anti-LGBT legislation.

We are very concerned with Russia’s anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) law and the upcoming Winter Olympics being hosted in Sochi. The protection of an individual’s human rights, regardless of a person’s background, is of utmost concern to us as Americans and Members of Congress. …

We call on the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to ensure that any American athlete, or someone associated with an American team, is afforded the right to show solidarity with, and support of, LGBT people around the globe to be free from discrimination and harm. Wearing a pin or another outward manifestation of solidarity with LGBT athletes should not be defined as ‘political’ if it is not intended to support any clear political party or position but is intended, instead, to highlight the spirit of the Olympic Games, which celebrates the unique humanity of all athletes from every country and culture.

The Russian government has promised to maintain security surrounding the event, and to allow somewhat free expression. However, the IOC is somewhat glib about casting aside “political speech” as unappropriate for the Olympic games.

Of course, the other big question is how the notoriously corrupt IOC will handle the possibility of athletes publicly calling out the Russian legislation during medal ceremonies. The black power salute (right) that has become a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights cost the two Americans and the Australian sprinter who won the silver medal, Peter Norman, dearly. It is still far from clear whether LGBT and supporter athletes would face the same kind of intimidation from the IOC.

The USOC can and should do more to protect athletes and supporters in Sochi while furthering the true spirit (rather than the corporatism) of the Olympic Games.