russia

“We didn’t know how we would fall relative to the top three teams (Carleton, Lakehead, Nipissing). So it was an exciting event for us to finally be sending a team after so long.” —Zeke Williams, U of O Nordiq skiier.

Russia is in the wrong. Not just on this issue, but also in the government’s actions against political opponents and the LGBTQ+ community. Extended Russian power means a world with less freedom of speech and affiliation. How to best respond should be debated endlessly and acted upon relentlessly. Canada has more than a million people of Ukrainian ancestry. Make no mistake this crisis involves us.

Local organization Jer’s Vision hosted a panel discussion Feb. 7 at the Arts Court Theatre with the intent of opening up a dialogue about Russia’s gay propaganda laws with members of the local LGBTQ+ community. The event, titled “Speaking out on Sochi,” featured speakers to discuss the new anti-LGBTQ+ law within the context of the ongoing Winter Olympics.

Jer’s Vision, an Ottawa-based youth initiative and non-profit organization, is spearheading an awareness campaign in January and February aimed at highlighting the recent signing of an anti-gay law in Russia, which criminalizes the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations” to minors.