Gay rights protest in Dublin ahead of Sochi winter games

Gay rights activists braved the harsh weather to protest outside the Russian embassy in Dublin yesterday, ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi this Friday.

The group joined a host of about 20 planned protests around the world against the Russian government’s controversial laws on issues related to homosexuality.

The demonstration, organised by student unions and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, transgender, transgender and queer) societies, urged people to put pressure on Irish politicians to speak out to Russian representatives about the issue.

Vladimir Dotsenko, a Russian national and mathematics lecturer in Trinity College Dublin, said the LGBTQ community in Russia were "terrified" to tell even those close to them their sexual orientation.

“Most of us (LGBTQ) are very afraid to come out in Russia, it’s very difficult,” he said.

“You put yourself at risk of been beaten up, publicly humiliated, accused of being a pervert or paedophile. It’s not safe.”

Mr Dotsenko said statistics from a recent Harvard journal on health and human rights, showed suicide rates and hate crimes had risen in Russia since the new laws.

The legislation, introduced last June, made providing information about homosexuality to under 18s punishable by a fine.

Recently, President Vladimir Putin said there was no ban on non-traditional sexual relations.

“We have a ban on the propaganda of homosexuality,” he said.

President Putin said homosexuals were welcome at the winter games but added: “Just leave the children in peace.”

Russian officials have said the law is to protect young people and not to discriminate against homosexuals.

At the demonstration, Union of Students in Ireland president Joe O'Connor said Irish students "would not stand for homophobia here or abroad".

Max Kyrzanowski from LGBT Noise said it was important for the LGBT community in Ireland to stand together to protect the vulnerable in other countries.

“We must use our freedom to try and advance theirs in Russia. We want equality,” he said.