Russian pole-vault champion supports antigay legislation
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian pole-vault champion supports antigay legislation, 15 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/521f467e12.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 15, 2013
Yelena Isinbayeva reacts after winning the women's pole-vault final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow on August 13.
Russian pole-vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva says she supports antigay legislation in her country.
Isinbayeva said in Moscow on August 15 that "if we allow [homosexuals] to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we [should be] very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves normal, standard people."
The Russian athlete, who won her third world title on August 13, also criticized fellow competitors from Sweden who painted their fingernails in rainbow colors to support gays and lesbians in the face of the new Russian antigay law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation in June prohibiting "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors," sparking an international outcry among human rights activists who say it discriminates against individuals according to their sexual orientation.
Based on reporting by AP and the BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
