Atlanta, Georgia – Today the Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) issued an open letter to the United States Olympic Committee expressing concern over the safety of LGBT and allied athletes and fans who will travel to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
The document includes an offer to the USOC by APC to supply the US Olympic Delegation with rainbow flags to carry during the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremonies.
The letter, addressed to USOC Chair, Lawrence Probst and signed by APC Board Chair, Glen Paul Freedman is below, in it’s entirety, for review and distribution.
——————–
Lawrence F. Probst, III
Chairman, United States Olympic Committee
27 South Tejon
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Chairman Probst,
I write to you today on behalf the Atlanta Pride Committee to express our significant concern about the safety of the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and allied members of our nation’s Olympic delegation to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
As you are no doubt aware, Russia has recently passed a number of anti-LGBT laws. These laws not only impact the human rights of the LGBT population of Russia but they also endanger the human rights, the safety and potentially the lives of LGBT members of the US Olympic delegation as well as any LGBT or allied US citizens travelling to Sochi to enjoy the games. Additionally, these laws run contrary to US Foreign policy, international human rights doctrine as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles, as well as the 6th Fundamental Principle of Olympism as laid out in The Olympic Charter.
We are slightly encouraged to see the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) statement defending the human rights of LGBTI people and its assurance that it will work to ensure the safety of LGBTI athletes, spectators, media, and officials attending the Sochi Winter Games. However, we are dismayed at the lack of specificity from the IOC on exactly about how they intend to ensure the safety of LGBTI people affiliated with the games while in Russia.
We ask that in your role as Chair of the USOC you encourage the IOC to take swift and appropriate action to ensure the safety of all athletes and visitors to these games and offer the following initiatives as examples of how the IOC could make their pledge to protect LGBT people actionable.
1. The IOC should work with LGBT-supportive countries to create a safe space for athletes by establishing a Rainbow House in Sochi either by renting a venue or by opening a temporary consulate.
2. The IOC could facilitate the ability of participating LGBT athletes and allies to wear a rainbow pin or carry a rainbow flag during the march of athletes at the opening and closing ceremonies.
3. The IOC chair could condemn the anti-gay laws in Russia as contrary to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism during his remarks at the Opening Ceremonies.
We applaud the bravery of openly gay New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup for refusing to hide who he is in Russia and in the rest of the world. We hope that his example gives other athletes the courage to declare themselves LGBTI or supporters.
Visibility and a refusal to submit to intimidation is the path to full legal and social equality. In that vein, the Atlanta Pride Committee offers to supply the US Olympic Delegation with rainbow flags to carry during the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremonies. Should the USOC be interested in taking advantage of our offer, please contact me at email hidden; JavaScript is required or (404) 307-9631.
We wish everyone a safe, happy and successful 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Go USA!
Glen Paul Freedman
Chair, Board of Directors
Atlanta Pride Committee, Inc.
cc:
Congressman John Lewis
John Kerry, US Secretary of State
Daniel Baer, Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor – US Department of State
Scott Blackman, CEO United States Olympic Committee
Gautman Raghavan, White House Associate Director of Public Engagement
2013 Atlanta Pride Sponsors: Rainbow: The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Bud Light, Smirnoff, Cox Enterprises, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment; Diamond: David Atlanta, Grady Health System; Platinum: The Georgia Aquarium, The Georgia Voice, Wolfgang Puck Catering, MailChimp, Chevrolet, PNC Bank, MINI; Gold: Gayborhood.
About Atlanta Pride: The main purpose of the APC is to promote unity, visibility and self-esteem among lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer persons and to promote a positive image in the Atlanta area and throughout the Southeastern United States through community activities and services.
The main mission of the APC is to provide lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender and queer persons with cultural and educational programs and activities, which enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, and foster an awareness of the past and present contributions of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer persons, through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event.
Media Contact:
Q&A Events
Sheila Merritt
email hidden; JavaScript is required
404.762.5665 x302
The post ATLANTA PRIDE COMMITTEE ISSUES OPEN LETTER TO USOC appeared first on Atlanta Pride.