Today, we’ll all be watching the Opening Ceremony in Sochi. And rightly so: there are few other events more exciting than the newest round of a more than 2000-year-old sporting event. But there’s something else I’ll be thinking about even more––the hostile climate for gays, lesbians, and transgender people in Russia.
Last spring, Russia passed a law against gay "propaganda,” effectively banning anyone LGBT from publicly speaking about their sexuality. Russia has long been a place where homophobia is prevalent. But since the law was passed, the situation has become dire: gays have been arrested, fired from their jobs, and murdered in hate crimes.
When I founded Opening Ceremony in 2002, I wanted to do for fashion what the Olympics does for sports: bring rising talents from different countries of the world together. And like the Olympics, whose charter bans discrimination "on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender, or otherwise,” Opening Ceremony considers it of critical importance to accept people of all backgrounds, celebrating differences rather than rejecting them.
As you watch these Olympic games, I’d like for you to keep in mind the political situation in Russia. Even after Sochi is over, gays, lesbians, and transgender Russians will face unfair persecution. And while we can’t directly prevent it, our continued solidarity is important for those who are suffering.![]()
Illustration by Andrew Kuo
Last spring, Russia passed a law against gay "propaganda,” effectively banning anyone LGBT from publicly speaking about their sexuality. Russia has long been a place where homophobia is prevalent. But since the law was passed, the situation has become dire: gays have been arrested, fired from their jobs, and murdered in hate crimes.
When I founded Opening Ceremony in 2002, I wanted to do for fashion what the Olympics does for sports: bring rising talents from different countries of the world together. And like the Olympics, whose charter bans discrimination "on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender, or otherwise,” Opening Ceremony considers it of critical importance to accept people of all backgrounds, celebrating differences rather than rejecting them.
As you watch these Olympic games, I’d like for you to keep in mind the political situation in Russia. Even after Sochi is over, gays, lesbians, and transgender Russians will face unfair persecution. And while we can’t directly prevent it, our continued solidarity is important for those who are suffering.
Illustration by Andrew Kuo