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Vladi­mir Luxuria still welcome at Olympics after holding up banner supporting gays? Italian activist Vladi­mir Luxuria’s protest at Sochi recalls ’80 Moscow Olympics
(35 minutes later)
SOCHI, Russia — Leave it to Vladi­mir Luxuria to keep up an Italian Olympic tradition. The transgender activist -- and former Communist member of the Italian parliament --repeated history when she turned up here to support gay rights over the weekend. SOCHI, Russia — Leave it to Vladi­mir Luxuria to keep up an Italian Olympic tradition. The transgender activist — and former Communist member of the Italian parliament — repeated history when she turned up here to support gay rights over the weekend.
She said she was detained for several hours Sunday after holding up a banner at the Olympic Park that said, “Gay is okay,” according to wire service reports and accounts from activists in Italy.She said she was detained for several hours Sunday after holding up a banner at the Olympic Park that said, “Gay is okay,” according to wire service reports and accounts from activists in Italy.
Luxuria said she was released without charges, and police said it never happened. “We have talked to police,” Alexandra Kosterina, a spokesman for the Russian Olympic Organizing Committee said Monday, “and according to police there is no record whatsoever of any detention or arrest.” Luxuria said she was released without charges, though police said the arrest never happened. “We have talked to police,” Alexandra Kosterina, a spokesman for the Russian Olympic Organizing Committee, said Monday, “and according to police there is no record whatsoever of any detention or arrest.”
What happened to the 48-year-old Luxuria was rather different from what one of her countrymen endured in 1980 when he tried to demonstrate during the Moscow Summer Olympics, although in both cases authorities did not want to look as if they were rounding up gay protestors and took a hush-hush approach. What happened to the 48-year-old Luxuria was rather different from what one of her countrymen endured in 1980 when he tried to demonstrate during the Moscow Summer Olympics, although in both cases authorities did not want to look as if they were rounding up gay protesters and took a hush-hush approach.
At the Summer Olympics that year, Vincenzo Francone, a 32-year-old Italian gay activist, walked into Red Square and tried to handcuff himself to a barrier. He was protesting a Soviet law that not only made homosexuality illegal but punished it with up to five years in prison. (That was the price men had to pay. Gay women were considered sick and sent to mental hospitals.) At the Summer Olympics that year, Vincenzo Francone, a 32-year-old Italian gay activist, walked into Red Square and tried to handcuff himself to a barrier. He was protesting a Soviet law that not only made homosexuality illegal but also punished it with up to five years in prison. (That was the price men had to pay. Gay women were considered sick and sent to mental hospitals.)
The KGB, on full alert to prevent any sign of protest in 1980, dragged Francone away before he even came close to handcuffing himself. To prevent the world from seeing what had happened, news reporters were collared and beaten, and their film was confiscated. One journalist said he later saw Francone lying on the floor while officers kicked him.The KGB, on full alert to prevent any sign of protest in 1980, dragged Francone away before he even came close to handcuffing himself. To prevent the world from seeing what had happened, news reporters were collared and beaten, and their film was confiscated. One journalist said he later saw Francone lying on the floor while officers kicked him.
A French reporter said at the time that a KGB officer confronted him and asked him if he wanted to keep living. “I said yes,” the journalist said. “They said, ‘But if we see you again, we’ll kill you and break both your legs.’” A French reporter said at the time that a KGB officer confronted him and asked him whether he wanted to keep living. “I said yes,” the journalist said. “They said, ‘But if we see you again, we’ll kill you and break both your legs.’ ”
Francone was soon put on a plane out of the country.Francone was soon put on a plane out of the country.
Today, although Russian officials remain opposed to public protest they have repeatedly said everyone will be welcome at these Olympics. Homosexuality is no longer illegal; the Soviet law was repealed in 1993, as President Vladimir Putin has often pointed out. Today, although Russian officials remain opposed to public protest, they have repeatedly said everyone will be welcome at these Olympics. Homosexuality is no longer illegal; the Soviet law was repealed in 1993, as President Vladimir Putin has often pointed out.
But last year Putin signed a law prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors. While Russian officials say the law is meant to protect children and not discriminate against gays, it appears to assume that children can be converted to homosexuality by hearing about it. Putin and other officials say gays are welcome at the Olympics, as long as they leave children alone.But last year Putin signed a law prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors. While Russian officials say the law is meant to protect children and not discriminate against gays, it appears to assume that children can be converted to homosexuality by hearing about it. Putin and other officials say gays are welcome at the Olympics, as long as they leave children alone.
On Monday, Olympic officials dodged the question when asked if Luxuria would be welcomed back to the Games. On Monday, Olympic officials dodged the question when asked whether Luxuria would be welcomed back to the Games.
“On the wider issue, as we have said very often, I am sure the Games will not be used as a platform for any demonstration, and we hope that continues,” said Mark Adams, spokesman for the International Olympic Committee.“On the wider issue, as we have said very often, I am sure the Games will not be used as a platform for any demonstration, and we hope that continues,” said Mark Adams, spokesman for the International Olympic Committee.