By Chris Hoenig
Russia’s new anti-gay law has taken effect just in time for final preparations for this winter’s Olympic Games in Sochi, and Olympic athletes are being threatened with sanctions if they don’t comply.
The bill, signed by President Vladimir Putin in late June, imposes the equivalent of thousands of dollars in fines on anyone attempting to hold a gay-pride rally or share information about the gay community with youths. The broad wording of the law allows for punishment to be handed out for discussing gay rights anywhere that a minor can hear and allows police to arrest foreigners who are suspected of supporting the gay community.
