I know much of the world will be watching today and some are choosing not to watch in personal protest of Russian human rights issues.

Russia was selected to host the 2014 Winter Olympic games some seven years ago.  Last year, a law was enacted by the Russian government that bans the distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors, known as the anti-gay propaganda law.  This law effectively makes it illegal to demonstrate or otherwise suggest that gay relationships are equal to heterosexual relationships.  It also makes it illegal to distribute material on gay rights--this can  mean one can be placed in jail,  ARRESTED, simply by demonstrating one's love for another.  Arrested for hanging a pride flag on one's house.  Arrested for pretty much just being gay and living one's life honestly in public.

Since the enactment of this law,  there have been thousands of arrests of gay activists and gay people, there has been a surge in hate crimes against LGBT Russians, and the most scary are the violent and sometimes deadly crimes perpetrated by neo-Nazi groups against gay minors.   Gay youth are being targeted, harmed and in some cases, killed.  This law has done nothing but to embolden haters to commit crimes and other atrocities against LGBT people.  This law perpetuates and fuels hatred.  Is history repeating itself, are we again witnessing days of Hitler?   Remember, Hitler first came for the gays.

With all  of the attention recently, I certainly understand why so many of my gay friends and family are choosing not to watch the Olympics in protest of the atrocities happening in Russia.  I get this, I respect this.  I hope too, that those that choose to boycott will respect others' who choose not to boycott and will be watching the opening ceremonies; who chose to support the athletes.  They deserve the respect and honor, not Russia, the Olympians.  I will be among those watching while I drink my Diet Coke.

There are six openly, gay athletes competing in Sochi.  I honor and respect these athletes for their athleticism, for their honor for their country, for their strength, their courage.  We've already been hearing news of protests by some of these athletes such as Dutch snowboarder, Cheryl Maas, following her attempt yesterday to qualify for the slope style event.  She held her rainbow colored, unicorn glove up to the Russian cameras.  I'm certain there will be more creative acts of protest during the opening ceremonies.  I applaud President Obama for hand picking gay athletes to be part of the Sochi Olympic delegation.  In doing so, the US sends a clear message to Vladimir Putin and the Russian government that we bow not to fear and inhumane treatment of any country's people.  Obama was quoted as saying during an interview with an NBC US Olympic host broadcaster yesterday, "There is no doubt we wanted to make it very clear that we do not abide by discrimination in anything, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

So don't hate because I'm not on the boycott bandwagon.  I'll be watching, I'll be tweeting, I'll be Facebook`ing.  I am hopeful that because of the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, something good will come out of this such as reversal of this very damaging law and open the door for real change for gay people in Russia. ~ Just my two cents.

Владимир Путин современный Гитлер

Go USA!