So, World Masters Championships for 2015 are now scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia. I, for one, am appalled at yet another event being held in a country with legislated homophobia. Isn't it bad enough that the IOC has allowed this travesty?
In my opinion, USMS needs to take a stand about this and ensure that ALL USMS members can attend events safely, with their families, and without fear of persecution or prosecution. Russia is not a safe place for our LGBT members and allies to do so.
Thoughts?
But we ARE talking about those very athletes. If I were an LGBTQ athlete, I would not feel safe competing in that environment, and for our organization to participate is an endorsement of segregating and leaving out a percentage of our membership in a way that I cannot abide. ALL of our members should feel safe and free to participate, something that cannot happen in this setting. Where then, is the fairness and spirit of equal competition?
But we ARE talking about those very athletes. If I were an LGBTQ athlete, I would not feel safe competing in that environment, and for our organization to participate is an endorsement of segregating and leaving out a percentage of our membership in a way that I cannot abide. ALL of our members should feel safe and free to participate, something that cannot happen in this setting. Where then, is the fairness and spirit of equal competition?
