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All Out releases pro-LGBT Russian Winter Olympics video

Nov 05 2013
Written by Scott Roberts

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A new video is seeking to raise awareness of Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws by asking what would happen if a gay athlete wins gold at next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The two-minute film from campaign group All Out shows a fictional lesbian figure skater emotionally looking at her girlfriend after winning a medal.

She then rushes off the ice rink to embrace her, but the video, which is overlain with a speech from then International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge from the London 2012 Olympics, goes on to show that the kiss was just a dream, and her partner is stuck behind the glass with neither able to be themselves.

The film ends with the message: “What if living your dream meant living a lie.”

Directed by Mike Buonaiuto, the creative lead for All Out and creator of last year’s award winning UK equal marriage viral ‘Homecoming’, the short video, ‘Love Always Wins’, calls on the IOC to speak out and stand by its Olympic principles of non-discrimination.

Mr Buonaiuto said: “It’s remarkably touching how many global professionals and All Out members have given their time and energy to create this video, which when shared with your family and friends will put the Russian anti-gay propaganda laws back into the world’s headlines.”

Last week, President Vladimir Putin told Thomas Bach, the new president of the IOC, that LGBT athletes and fans attending the Winter Olympics would “feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation”.

A federal bill banning gay “propaganda” was signed into law by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in June.

It prescribes fines for providing information about homosexuality to people under the age of 18 – ranging from 4,000 roubles (£78) for an individual to 1m roubles (£19,620) for organisations.

Campaigners note that there has been an increase in violence and state persecution against LGBT people in Russia following the passing of the laws.

Violent LGBT discrimination in Russia remains firmly in the spotlight at the moment.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International condemned last weekend’s homophobic attack on a St Petersburg HIV support group, resulting in a man being shot in the eye.

The victim is now blind in the damaged eye.