Headlines
CALL FOR OLYMPICS TO BAN ANTI-GAY COUNTRIES
Thu, 12 July 2012
one of the few openly-gay sportspeople
competing in the 2012 Olympics
"The Olympic Charter prohibits all discrimination, and this includes homophobic discrimination. Any country that discriminates against women, ethnic or religious minorities, or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes should be disqualified from the 2012 Olympics," said Tatchell.
He pointed out that the Olympic Charter states: “Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”
Tatchell asked, in a media statement: “Why isn’t homophobia, biphobia and transphobia being challenged by the Olympic authorities?
“Nearly 80 countries still criminalise homosexuality. Several have the death penalty. Over 150 nations have legal systems that, in the absence of laws against homophobic discrimination, permit victimisation and bias against LGBT citizens and athletes," he noted.
Tatchell suggested that the International Olympic Committee and London Olympic organisers require all competing nations to sign a pledge that they do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
If they refuse to sign, they should be denied participation in the games.
“I appeal to Olympic chiefs, Jacques Rogge and Lord Coe, to make a public statement that LGBT athletes are welcome at London 2012 and that participating nations must not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. We need a signal from the top that homophobia and transphobia are contrary to the Olympic spirit and Charter," said Tatchell.
Comments
ziggy 7/17/2012 7:34:15 PM
Sure, it's not going to happen. But it is something that should happen. I think Tatchell is still right by pointing out that that is what is supposed to happen - better than just shutting up and letting the powers that be think all is ok. Perhaps if more people and organisations would insist that the Olympic rules in general - not just those relating to gender - are implemented, it might happen one day. That's how we got gay rights into the SA Constitution, after many years of protesting, activism, statements, etc., etc., etc.
R 7/16/2012 11:50:28 PM
As much as I agree with Drama queen Pete. I won't hold my breath on a ban. Maybe them saying we welcome everybody, but a ban? C'mon Thatch if we did that than there will be no Olympics. Let me put to u like this. The Law is very tricky business. There is not a single participating country that doesn't have Laws against the LBGTI regardless of whether those laws are enforced or not They are still there. National Laws in most countries don't recognise same sex marriage (unions don't count) and we all know thats discrimination. Laws in nearly all participating countries don't allow Same sex partners to inherit from a deceased partner. Than u got ur extreme cases like Africa n the Middle East with the death penalty and torture. The Law is the Law, no matter how severe or non violent. These are examples of that lawyers would argue about for eternity. Meanwhile not one country would be able to participate simply because rules and regulations which promotes non discrimination cannot be discriminate themselves thus ANY COUNTY WITH A SINGLE LAW AGAINST LGBTI WILL NOT PARTICIPATE. Fair is fair after all. That's what he wants to promote fine here u go. So I can honestly say Pete from a PRAGMATIC standpoint... big businesses and sponsers who have billions to gain this summer(or winter) will not let that happen besides the world leaders know full well they can't afford to piss off the Middle East right now. We all remember the ridiculous pertol price hikes early this year.
ziggy 7/16/2012 9:14:02 AM
Excellent! Show them they are as unwelcome to us as we are to them.