By John Mack Freeman
The International Olympic Committee has added a new clause to the contract that governs host cities that will protect LGBT coaches, participants, and visitors. The IOC, which governs the international Olympic Games, has been under fire since early this year after the Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia. Russia’s continued discrimination against LGBT people and their anti-gay propaganda law sparked international protests that urged the IOC to do more to protect LGBT rights and to promote equality around the world. With this action, it appears they have taken the first step. Hopefully, the change will be apparent in Brazil, and this won’t prove to be just a publicity stunt.
LGBT sports advocacy group Around the Rings reacted via press release, saying in part:
“This is a significant step in ensuring the protection of both citizens and athletes around the world and sends a clear message to future host cities that human rights violations, including those against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, will not be tolerated,†said Andre Banks, co-founder and executive director of All Out, the global movement for love and equality. “This is a particularly important moment for the world’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens who face discrimination and persecution not only in Russia but in countries all over the world. We will continue working to make sure this change is powerfully enforced – these new rules must prevent a replay of Sochi.â€
According to IOC Sports Director, Christopher Dubi, the new clause will include “the prohibition of any form of discrimination, using the wording of Fundamental Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter.” This clause will ensure that future host cities must abide by international human rights standards in order to host the games, including the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and athletes.
