Canada: Vancouver bars join ‘dump Russia vodka’ campaign over anti-gay laws
At least two bars in Vancouver have joined the battle against the controversial Russian anti-gay “propaganda” laws by refusing to sell Russian made vodka.
Following the lead of other UK and US based companies also in solidarity with Dan Savage’s “dump Russian vodka” campaign, Drew Watling, the manager of the Fountainhead Pub in Vancouver has pulled Russian vodka brands from his bar.
Mr Watling said: “We’re just taking a stand in solidarity and support for the LGBT community worldwide.
“If enough people stand up and say something then hopefully it’ll get a lot more notoriety and get people talking.”
In addition, he has also said that if Moscow does not backtrack on its new laws by the time of the Olympic Winter Games, the sports bar won’t be screening them.
Celebrities nightclub, located across the street from the Fountainhead, said on its Facebook page it also won’t be selling Russian vodka.
The bar’s patron Scott Finch said he’s in support of the boycott, calling Putin’s actions against gay people “criminal.”
“I’ve tried to avoid anything to do with Russia for a long time,” said Mr Finch.
Mr Mendeleev, the Stolinyacha chief executive, said he was “upset and angry,” and “has always been, and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community.”
He said: “Those days should be long behind us now and for those countries and those governments and regimes who don’t see it that way I think they have to move with the times.”
