Queer Nation has had a busy week, and it’s only Tuesday. In New York City yesterday, the LGBT activist group protested at a Russian-sponsored event designed to interest U.S. businesses in operating in Russia.
Today, two dozen Queer Nation activists protested against Vladimir Putin’s war on gays, targeting the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the U.S. Olympic Team (USOC), and sponsors of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, including Coca-Cola, VISA, Procter & Gamble, and McDonald’s.
“Yelling ‘Homophobia’s gotta go’ the protesters unfurled banners that said ‘don’t buy Putin’s lies’ and ‘boycott homophobia’ while Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls spoke to a crowd of bystanders, news media and sponsors,” USA Today reports:
“It’s a violation of human rights,’ said Duncan Osbourne, a member of Queer Nation NY which organized the protest. The demonstration was ” thrown together” when the group learned about the USOC event two days ago.
“We’re saying stay out of Russia. It’s not safe. Don’t spend your money there. Put more pressure on Putin,” said protester Bill Dobbs.
Last month, amid ball gowns and tuxedos, Queer Nation activists protested Putin’s war on gays, and  the Metropolitan Opera, which featured Putin supporters.
Images by Scott Wooledge via Queer Nation on Facebook