To Russia, With Love via (202) 298-5735

In recent weeks we have read reports regarding the anti-Gay laws recently implemented in Russia, which has caused international human rights activists to respond with a chorus of unified voices.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has announced that Russian anti-LGBT Propaganda Laws will be fully enforced during the Sochi Olympics in February of 2014.

According to Minister Mutko, "No one is forbidding an athlete with non-traditional sexual orientation from coming to Sochi, but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable."

I wonder how the Minister and Russian LEO's will define propagandizing activities?  Would walking down a street wearing a jacket with a = symbol be regarded as propagandizing?  Would a gender common couple holding hands be in violation of their laws?  Would the simple presence of any internationally known gay or lesbian sports figure constitute an act of propagandizing?  These anti-propagandizing laws simply opens the door to the Russian authorities to make massive wholesales arrests, empowered by legislation solely aimed at profiling people based on their sexual orientation.

A tremendous number of American citizens have been voicing their objections to these laws based upon their fidelity to the concept of international human rights - but it is very difficult for bullies and oppressors of human rights to hear or even acknowledge such cries for justice.

Here in the United States, I have read suggestions that emails of protest be sent to the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC.  I don't that this would work for all someone in the Embassy has to do is press their delete button and wipe out any emails they do not wish to read.

Because I am feeling a bit empowered today with the spirit of being a nuisance - let me suggest that faxes of protests be sent to the Russian Embassy.  If their fax machine is clogged up all day with faxes of protests flooding their office, they might get the message and their budget for fax machine paper might be stretched beyond their limits. 

If one wishes to send a clear message to the Russian government just send them a fax at 202.298.5735.

And if their line is busy, please call back again.