Gay rights group, All Out, has lobbied at Coca-Cola's headquarters in Atlanta, asking the beverage giant, and a major sponsor of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, to repeal Russia's anti-gay laws.
Three trucks hired by All Out circled Coca-Cola's headquarters with billboards urging the company to reverse its anti-gay laws before the games next year.
More than 140,000 All Out members sent messages to Coca-Cola's CEO urging the company to:
- Speak out against the Russian anti-gay "propaganda" law and call for its repeal before the Olympics.
- Donate funds to Russian human rights defenders.
- Ask the Olympic Committee to change the rules so future Olympics can only happen in countries that fully respect equality.
Andre Banks, excutive director and co-founder of All Out, said "Coke is an incredibly important position of power and has the ability to influence the International Olympic Committee, other sponsors, and Russian leaders. The safety and dignity of Russians, athletes, and fans is in doubt as long as Russia’s anti-gay laws are intact. Olympic sponsors have a moral obligation to speak out now."
In June, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, signed a law prohibiting the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors. According to the Washington Post, this means banning gay pride parades as children might see them, and preventing any discussion of homosexuality among teenagers.
However Putin has announced that everyone will be welcome at Russia's Black Sea resort for the Winter Olympics, claiming that everything is being done to ensure athletes, organsers, fans and guests feel comfortable, regardless of their nationality, race or sexuality.
While this is a step in the right direction, it's not enough, said Banks.
"If Putin really wants the world to feel welcome during the 2014 Winter Olympics, it is time for the Russian government to repeal the anti-gay laws," he said. "Any solution that doesn’t address these laws will leave a cloud of uncertainty over the Games. Until the laws are repealed no one will be safe, not Russian citizens and not Olympic athletes and fans."