Florida Mayors Urge Putin to End LGBT Discrimination

By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-01-30 at 1.22.00 PMToday, three Florida mayors whose cities have Sister or Friendship City relationships with cities in Russia co-signed a letter to Russian President Vladmir Putin criticizing the anti-gay laws and violence in the country that will host the Winter Olympics at Sochi.

Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman urged the Russian government to repeal the nation’s controversial “anti-gay” law.

The letter states, in part:

“As mayors of Florida cities with Russian sister city counterparts, we are writing to address a matter of great importance that affects the lives of millions of Americans and Russians alike. In June 2013 you signed into law a measure that enforces a ban upon homosexual ‘propaganda’ in Russia. Thus, it appears that citizens and visitors to Russian that identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered (LGBT) will be subject to discrimination, fines, and potential incarceration. This law represents a disconcerting violation of basic human and civil rights and does not reflect the ideals or beliefs of our citizens, nor do we believe that it reflects the values of the citizens of our Russian sister city counterparts.”

Equality Florida, the organization which wrote letters to all Florida cities that have partnerships with Russian cities, calling on elected leaders to speak up in the face of Russia’s persecution and violence against the LGBT community, has praised this important step taken by the Florida mayors:

“Last year Equality Florida We are pleased to see strong mayors in our state speak out and hope it will inspire others across the country to take action as well.”

Last year, Seattle’s previous Mayor also took strong steps to voice the City disapproval of the Putin regime’s homophobic laws.

The Winter Olympic games in Sochi are scheduled to begin next week.

Russian Consul Lambasted for anti-gay laws by Seattle Mayor and City Council

by on October 21, 2013

Seattle Mayor and City Council take Strong Stand for LGBT Rights against Russian Consul while inviting him to get educated By Melanie Nathan, October 21, 2013. An unanimous City Council of Seattle sent a letter to Russian Consul General, Andry Yushmanov joining Mayor Mike McGinn in condemning Russia’s anti-gay laws, inviting the Russian Consul to […]

10 Actions you can take against Russia | shocking video of Russian Gay Teen torture

by on July 26, 2013 in

10 ways to STOP the Russian terror of Gays By Melanie Nathan, July 26, 2013. Anti-gay sentiment and violence against LGBTI people has been a Russian habit for some time. However in recent months it has escalated with lack of basic law and order, exacerbated by Vladamir Putin’s legislative onslaught through various laws that criminalize […]

 

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7 Comments on “Florida Mayors Urge Putin to End LGBT Discrimination”

  1. Dr. Rex January 30, 2014 at 2:25 PM #

    Reblog!!

  2. Dr. Rex January 30, 2014 at 2:26 PM #

    Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    “Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman urged the Russian government to repeal the nation’s controversial “anti-gay” law.” …. Wow!! Impressed … from Florida!!??

  3. LOrion January 30, 2014 at 4:42 PM #

    This oughta do it. #RUSSIAN Sister City Mayors of #Tallahassee #Orlando and #StPetersburg #FL urge #PUTIN to grow up.

    • Melanie Nathan January 30, 2014 at 4:55 PM #

      THANKS

    • Melanie Nathan January 30, 2014 at 4:55 PM #

      I think Putin is terrified of his own thoughts!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Marriage Equality Round-Up 1/31/14 - January 31, 2014

    […] USA, Florida: Three Florida mayors are sending a leggier to Russia criticizing the country’s anti-gay laws. full story […]

  2. Marriage Equality Round-Up 1/31/14 - January 31, 2014

    […] USA, Florida: Three Florida mayors are sending a letter to Russia criticizing the country’s anti-gay laws. full story […]

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