Swedish ice hockey star notes positive reaction to his criticism of anti-gay laws in Russia
Swedish ice hockey star Victor Hedman, has noted the “positive” response he received after speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay law, which was passed in June, and which bans the “promotion” of homosexuality.
Hedman noted that he was not the only Swedish athlete to come out against the law, but he emphasised the importance of standing up for the rights of LGBT people.
“Everything has been just positive from the people I know,” Hedman said on Monday. “It’s been a big topic with everyone and as far as with friends and family, they liked the response. We just stood up for everyone’s rights.”
Last week, he criticised the law. Speaking to Aftonbladet newspaper, he said: “That’s completely wrong. We’re all humans… No one should have a say in what way you are sexually oriented.”
“The Olympics is there for a reason,” Hedman continued. “Everybody should be able to participate and be themselves. Everybody should stand up for homosexual rights.”
“There’s going to be a buzz about it. They have their own rules,” Hedman said speaking of the law. “You can think it’s wrong, but when you’re there you’re going to focus on the Olympics and play well in those games.”
“I know a lot of people who think it’s wrong. I think it’s wrong,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough question for everyone to answer. But I made my statement, and that’s where I stand.”
The hockey star’s Olympics teammate Henrik Zetterberg was also quoted in the article, and high jumper Emma Green Tregaro, also Swedish, took a stand by painting her nails in rainbow colour, and then in red “for love”, at the Moscow World Athletics Championships, after she was warned that she may have broken the code of conduct.
Ms Tregaro’s painted nails also prompted Russia’s pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva to brand her “disrespectful to our country”.
