Isinbayeva condemns displays of homosexuality | Sochi 2014

[@servaashofmeyr271]

She basically says she is against the public promotion of homosexuality, not against individuals who live that life.

[@maxmuller3466]

What's the fuckin difference?

[@maxmuller3466]

@@RIUUI007you're basically saying "live your life however you want but stop showing me that you are okay with being who you are", and once again I ask: what's the difference? How are you supposed to live your life and at the same time try to hide your differences because some bigot might get offended by it? Imahine if I told you "hey it's okay if you are straight but please keep it to yourself and stop holding your wife's hand on the streets where children might see it" sounds dumb, right?

[@MonkeyAaron203]

@@maxmuller3466👅

[@scythianarcher6896]

I have lived in Russia till the age of 9 born in 1995 and there haven't been any significant promotion or campaign against them. It have never been a subject of discussion in public or in private. Now I have lived in Norway for 8 years, the first years I was schoked about how public it was and how positively homosexuality was refered to in all media, teachers in schools and other people. The laws passed in Russia are a protection against this homosexual lobby campaign, which is why I support it.

[@Brutell01]

"homophobia is learned" homophobia is a natural instinct of the self-preservation of mankind. It is a law of the nature. It should always be so.

[@josewmeldondo]

Sorry, but discriminating against others for being gay (which is a natural way of controlling the population) isn't right or something that should be practiced.

[@Brutell01]

@@josewmeldondo Probably the Papuans from New Guinea consider the prohibition of cannibalism in other countries as discrimination too. P.S. I think if a country has an overpopulation problem then only in the way it should enact some gay laws, prooaganda, etc. but today Russia is not one of them.

[@josewmeldondo]

Thing is, cannibalism gets people killed so that they can be eaten, being gay does none of those things. If someone's sexuality doesn't physically interfere with one's ability to live their life, then it shouldn't be an issue nor should there be any ban placed.

[@Thief555WWJD]

Hate isn't natural. And gay people can have their own kids, so "it should always be so" is nonsensical. Gay people can literally have their own biological children.

[@nsoper19]

glad to see the russian nation taking the right stance against this sort of thing

[@bradgolding6847]

Yet another fabulous Russian woman, intelligent, multi-lingual, an incredible athlete, and so beautiful to go with it! God bless you Yelena!

[@TheVariag01]

Totally agree. From Russia with love)

[@jinks3669]

Love her even more now.

[@MrMikeinDevon]

Well said Yelena! We love you and more importantly you are absolutely right

[@josewmeldondo]

She couldn't be more wrong

[@antult4843]

Kiss my ass

[@mariajames2966]

A vaccine for bigotry would be good.

[@Arminiushoff]

I love this woman and her thoughts

[@zoefofo7769]

I dont see what she said wrong

[@TheJetsrdabest]

Why are there pro gays commenting on anti gay video?

[@Thief555WWJD]

Because I was disappointed that this was her take and wanted to hear what she actually said

[@doctortabasco]

marry me yelena!!! i love you!!!!!

[@MrDavidpres]

I hardly believe the violence seen in russia as civilization and culture.

[@Artyom109Zinchenko]

My reply is my reply, your interpretation is your interpretation ;) "don't believe gays... deserving the same rights" - who am I to stop people from their sexual behaviour?? No way am I for that. But legal marriages, kids adoption, gay parades, lessons in kindergartens and early school - I am against that for sure.

[@MakavelliVR]

pure simple and honest... I like her statements!!! Italy

[@wildhorses221]

this chick is probably the furthest thing from "normal and standard"... Russia just has a lot of catching up to do---it's 2014 guys, not the 1900s...

[@yuliakalashnikova6161]

she is quite an active propagandist of opressive Russian regime at the moment, payed a lot to say that gays, liberals, freedome of speech and such frighten her, while it is quite the opposite, she creeps me out being such a dead eye sellout

[@AlianaBelan]

Dear foreing friends! Please do not dramatize the situation with gays in Russia. We don't prohibit homosexual relations, but only prohibit to impose their sexual orientation around our children. In accordance with the high ideals of democracy and national self-determination, our people have decided not to take non-traditional sexual orientation as a norm. It's our choice. Pay your attention, for example, at the United Arab Emirates. Gay rights are really violated and abused very badly there.

[@gubocci]

I must laugh at this. (With disbelief.) First of all you compare your country to a third world country that is violating human rights in almost every aspect. If something is a little better than the worst, it still isn't very good, you know. Secondly, you say that "In accordance with the high ideals of democracy and national self-determination, our people have decided not to take non-traditional sexual orientation as a norm. It's our choice." So your choice is to not respect basic human rights? That is a solid argument indeed. In the same way you can justify any kind of minority oppression. Next you decide, in accordance of high ideals of russian democracy, that black people should not go out in the daytime? Or what? Also, this law that leaves a lot open for interpretation, practically gives your corrupt officials free hands to harrass and blackmail people in every way they imagine. I find it hysterically funny though, that this is happening in a country where it is customary for men to kiss each other when meeting. How fucking gay is that? :D With best regards, a heterosexual male from Finland.

[@AlianaBelan]

gubocci Hello, heterosexual male from Finland. First, let me remind you that homosexuality was accepted in Europe just little more than 10 years ago. Nobody cared before about human rights. So don't tell me Second, as you are not longer the citizen of our country, you don't have any vote here, and people of Russia will survive without your opinion and accept own laws. Russia is an independent state, and it is not nessesery to tell us what to do. Third, Russia and Europe have a lot of differences (cultural, historical, traditional, spiritual, geographical and we have own way of development. No need to tell us how to live. If for Europe the top of civilization development is legalizing homosexual relations (next step probably will be incest and polygyny), we don't pay much attention to sexual orientation of the person. For example, for me personality of the person is much more important than orientation. Russians have spiritual, not materialistic values, and we have own point of view on different things. Forth, I wonder what is the difference of gays in Saudi Arabia and Finland or Russia? Why, according to your statement, should they have less rights? Why you don't fight for their rights? Fifth, as much I notice homosexuality is promotioned just in Christian countries. I don't know any Muslim country where gay marriages would be allowed. I wonder, why "free world" doesn't care about gays in Muslim regions? Maybe because it is dangerous to deal with muslims? (I have to remind you that we have around 20% of Muslims who will never accept homosexual relations as normal. Besides it we have a lot of other nationalities for whom traditional relations is the example of the healthy and happy family). Thank you for attention. Kind regards, Russian girl with no brain-washed by homosexual mass medias views.

[@gubocci]

"Forth, I wonder what is the difference of gays in Saudi Arabia and Finland or Russia? Why, according to your statement, should they have less rights? Why you don't fight for their rights?" - Please, try to stay on the point. We are talking about human rights in Russia here. Human rights in other countries is a different discussion. "Russian girl with no brain-washed by homosexual mass medias views." - Just a few lines about brainwashing. www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/09/us-russia-media-idUSBRE9B80I120131209 Also "In 2013 Russia ranked 148th out of 179 countries in the Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders." Or is that all a western conspiracy? Of course it is, Russia would NEVER try to steer it's citizens' opinion. I don't see how it is better to be brainwashed by state controlled media than any other. You know, I don't think Finnish government is right in every action it takes or in every law it imposes. I suggest some critical thinking for you too. But maybe thinking isn't "the russian way".

[@AlianaBelan]

gubocci "А судьи кто?" © who sponsors that research? Totaliristic USA government who spread own "freedom" and "values" all over the world? Honestly, I don't care of any western values, I read European medias and see how well-spread anti-Russian propaganda is working there. Seems, Europe and US are still living in the times of Cold war. Now truth about freedom of speech in Russia. I have to tell you again, that in Russia people are more free to express their opinion than anywhere in Europe. I have lived in Holland for a while, I talked to many people from different European countries, and I was impressed how much they are afraid to say about their opinion if it is different from "official" one. Yes, they can say anything about their president and government, but freedom of speech is not just about the authorities. Most of my European friends are used to repeat something what they heard on TV or read on the newspapers, they truly believe in everything what they read about. And they can't imagine that there can be other point. Russians are more opened about any topics, they can discuss anything and are not afraid to express their opinions.

[@gubocci]

Yes, in Russia everything is perfect. It is funny that you brought the topic of brainwashing in this. As it seems you have really thoroughly been brainwashed. Or what is it if not brainwashing when you can't see any faults in your own country? I guess you are not going to answer this.. Also if you see how well the anti-Russian propaganda is working, do you see how well anti-western propaganda is working over there? If not, think again about the brainwashing.. The difference is also that the anti-western propaganda over there is spread by the government. Might be that the Europe and the US are still living in the times of the Cold War, but it also seems that Russia is going backwards, soon maybe reaching the times of the World War I. But all is well, that's what Putin wants, that's what's going to happen. And to tell you the truth as well, the anti-Russian attitudes around here come from fear. Fear that a country that seems to be going backwards can do anything else unpredictable as well. As an unprovoked military attack. Wouldn't be the first time.. But as this is like trying to reason with any religious maniac, fruitless, I'm done with this "discussion". Anyhow, I respect you for using the latin alphabet, can't do it with cyrillic. And still on a side note, I don't hate any person by default, even russian. It's the actions that define the person. Your government on the other hand.. Can't say much good about it. A little, but not much. Hope FSB isn't at my door in the coming days..

[@svyatoslavshahov]

People of Russia and european is different nation

[@SyberianLynx]

I live in Russia, and i can state that gay is a stigma here, not an orientation.

[@CVUK]

Well done for being honest. She is beautiful too! Shame we don't have any women like her in England.

[@patrickm7727]

What a phenomenal human being you are.

[@lermius]

Totally agree with her.

[@novysvet11]

It's like saying "Oh, I've never been told to become a thief or a drunkard, yet I became one". There is nothing to be proud of. But it's quite obvious that teaching children that drinking or theft or homosexualism is morally wrong reduces the number of thiefs, drunkards, homosexualists.

[@Thief555WWJD]

Yes, you can totally control someone's sexual orientation by telling them not to be that way. That is totally how sexual attraction works. 🙄🙄

[@KeiRaRaRa]

So glad to see someone else is just as bewildered by this comment as I am.

[@Dokrovluka]

Bravo !!!!! :-) long live Russia!!!!

[@nickmannik7548]

I have seen many a gay parade where I live in Sydney and I can tell you that its basically normal for parents to bring their kids to watch. The kids themselves (I remember being one of them) generally think that the way people are behaving is strange, but the point of the parade is to recognise and appreciate gays, who, thanks to this process are now much more accepted and included in the society. My question to anybody living in Russia: is this really that extreme?

[@funebre1936]

best answer in many time against the dictatorial occidental way of life!!!

[@GottdieEhre]

It's in order! I love her and Russia!

[@Artyom109Zinchenko]

"most gays are homophobic" - I knew that! OK, I see what you mean. I am glad that you do not have any problems in your country. All the best to you and stay fine.

[@amritpalgrewal7136]

Very well said

[@riefkykc3003]

She's beautiful, athletic, sexy and condemned lgbt..what a lovely woman

[@8Todote8]

всё правильно она сказала. молодец.

[@ralmcg]

Here's the long title of the 2013 law being mentioned: On Amendments to Article 5 of the Federal Law On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to their Health and Development and to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation with the Aim of Protecting Children from Information that Promotes Negation of Traditional Family Values. It's aim is clearly discriminatory since it is designed to promote traditional values while suppressing untraditional ones (i.e. homosexuality).

[@Trovatore75]

Its not about perversion, it is about perfectly natural homosexuality.

[@alexanderbelov9154]

Right words, thank you! Правильные слова, спасибо!

[@valdoirjs]

Very good! This beautiful woman is a living example to the health of mankind.

[@apelsinjuice1394]

I love her even more now 🤩🤩🤩

[@wildhorses221]

no one cares

[@ralmcg]

I'm not gay or lesbian. I do come from the USA. If you are going to say "Don't interfere in my country's affairs." don't. It tells me that you don't want people to criticize the discrimination suffered by gays and lesbians in Russia.

[@ralmcg]

Not allowing same-sex marriage isn't the same as causing them physical pain but it sends the message that same-sex couples don't have the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex couples. That is a discriminatory practice no matter how much homophobes would say otherwise.

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Glad she is a good athlete. Cuz she did not get much between the ears.

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Vlad Putin Stay in your swamp of ignorance and enjoy the sanctions!

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Vlad Putin Hitler enjoyed Crimea as well. He has as much right to it as you fascists do. Putin = Hitler one and the same person.

[@imirish4702]

USA has the biggest warmongers and terrorists. Yours days are running out

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Vlad Putin Hahaha The fascist federal russian fuckpublic now has junk status!!! Your fascist state is a big toilet. And you are a proof of it.

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Vlad Putin www.wsj.com/articles/moodys-downgrades-russia-to-junk-status-1424469136

[@petermitchell69]

Wow. This chick just went from being super hot to very much not. Tolerance doesn't mean approval, but publicly supporting an anti-gay law is tantamount to hatred, regardless of how "unrespectful" she finds gay behaviour that doesn't fit into her sheltered Russian box of a closed, pathetic life.

[@uj2233]

My respects

[@holger3943]

I simply think that gay ideology is wrong just like nazism or racism. Does not necessarily mean that I hate people who are mistaken.

[@ralmcg]

That implied that she knew the questions about Russia's anti-gay propaganda laws in advance of her news conference and prepared a statement.

[@sammypham837]

Laws are made for protecting people rights not suppressing them. They should be as neutral as possible. Lgbt people are and were always there, and because of the discrimination against them in the past, they had to hide it. Just because heterosexual people are majority population in the world, it does not mean the peaceful world belong only to them.

[@valdoirjs]

Yelena Isinbayeva, you are a sportswoman beautiful, sweet, correct, patriot and surprisingly wise.

[@MrDavidpres]

That is a stereotype against homosexuals but the point being that everyone faces the same risks not only homosexuals

[@Cbrook2012]

"please understand you need to show respect to the majority !" We tried that in 1930's Germany and things didn't turn out so well.

[@ralmcg]

I think it's sad that if 2013 is the last year of Isinbayeva's pole-vaulting career it will be remembered for her support of an obvious anti-gay law.

[@yudaobon1650]

I liked her before, I love her even now!

[@zisssssou]

Russia....... A great country but leading by very poor mentality people

[@AGShoomno]

Nobody's trying to stop her expressing her opinion. In most peoples' opinion, what she said constitutes unadulterated bigotry.

[@ralmcg]

Correction: It should have said "therefore", not "therefore therefore".

[@a2219199]

Well, you know, surely to express her thoughts correctly she asked how to say it in a right english words in advance. But it doesn't mean she was told to say that. In Russia we struggle for our traditional values and great respect to Elena that she is not afraid of being reprobate in Europe and the USA. She is a great champion, she is going to have a baby and she says to the west contries the truth about gay propaganda - I really love her and consider her to be the greatest russian woman.

[@ralmcg]

Once upon a time homophobes were happy that heterosexuality's claim as the sole legitimate sexuality went basically unchallenged. Then LGBTs began to demand that they shouldn't be punished for their sexuality and wanted to have equal rights with heterosexual couples. That made the homophobes very mad. Their very presence, if not their existence, offended them. They also fear that heterosexuality's precious monopoly on legitimate sexuality would be broken. Continued...

[@kumarperumal3667]

She’s being honest , praise her

[@romeowhite988]

Banning homosexual propaganda is a requirement of public order . The fact is that majority of R.F. people is strongly against the idea that HS relations are normal for humans. The low is more tolerant to H.S. than it's desired by people.

[@Artyom109Zinchenko]

Man, I read Bible every day :) I am an Orthodox Christian. "yes i can made you stop to believe" - no, you can't. " It fact that parents were evangelical" - if a goat is called lion, it does not stop being a goat still, right? "i can made you change your point of view very easy" - yes, I heard people saying it a lot ;)

[@sonnybrasco5041]

RESPECT the opinion of the majority of the russian people. They do not forbid to be homosexual. They just forbid the externation of homosexuality in public spaces.

[@HHHPPP8]

First, Isinbayeva said she wanted to live in Monaco. Secondly, she said that she would leave Russia when she completes her athletic career because she can not develop her athletic skills further in her hometown of Volgograd, because there is no basis for such athletes as she's.

[@Muradlek]

All of us is white. Tatars, caucasians and ethnic russians too. But only russian neonacist sure, that they are true white, others it "black". That racists sure, they are more better than others. Anyway, I like Isinbayeva, and proud of her, cause she, only she, doesn't scare of world propaganda and she has her own meaning.

[@popazz1]

Not 'trying' to do anything,merely explaining 'homophobia' in context. And why would I want to become involved in a 'deep discussion' with someone who's ideas of something different is so firmly set? "You can do what you want...we don't care" Well clearly you DO.Enjoy your life in the Dark Ages.

[@Nickname006]

Having same-sex marriage doesn't remove all the homophobia. Most of us have been raised to be homophobic or at least we have always been surrounded by some homophobic people. Internalized homophobia is a big problem among LGBT people. It's sad but we can fix that for the future generations.

[@ВиталийПанфилов-ы4й]

In our country, the way old people do not hand in a nursing home, and they take care of them until the last days of their lives, but we're talking about the attitude towards gays, and it can not conflict with the nature of man ... It's simple.

[@holger3943]

I know personally two guys who went gay.

[@valdoirjs]

Please let us reason correctly. Yelena Isimbayeva is not against gays, but just do not agree with homosexual behavior and its paradigm. It's just a way of thinking about human nature and society. No homophobia. The concept of homophobia is for anyone who is not prepared to accept criticism.

[@Nimaxpa]

When men kiss each other in Russia it doesn't exactly mean they are gays. It's a very old tradition. Unfortunately you don't see a difference between kissing people of the same sex and being homosexual

[@nibsvkh]

I hope all the real countries that don't condone such archaic laws,such as Canada,wear a rainbow armband in solidarity for their fellow athletes.The argument that it is their country,history,culture etc. is as valid as the attitudes in Berlin during the 1936 Olympics.

[@JustinBerlin8191]

Because animals never display hetrosexual actions? The comment was meant to naturalize homosexuality. The contrast was the most important thing to garner.

[@holger3943]

Because it's God's will that humans don't abuse sexuality in this way. And if you are non-believer, the only option you are left with is moral relativism. Than the answer is: because I say so. And the majority of my people agree with me. You see, either way I am right about homosexualism being morally wrong.

[@dansan99]

Your question might confuse them. Unlike American homophobes, most Russian homophobes don't even pretend to like Jews.

[@TheKhaosTheori]

-Extent-, meaning the effect it has on the people who have to follow it. I made no claim to be free of -assumptions-, what argument is? And I never used the word "barbarian" (..sorry if I insulted you or anyone you care about, it was not my intention.), anything akin to it would've been directed towards people who actually deserved the title. And I don't feel like "Picking and Choosing" information to misuse to come out the winner of this argument. You may now have the last word. I'm done.

[@popazz1]

How can you compare the two? Being gay isn't wrong,illegal,sinful & is consensual.Whereas paedophilia IS illegal,wrong & does not involve consent.

[@Nimaxpa]

She doesn't promote hatred. She's neutral towards gays. If you want everyone to like gays it's only yout choice, please don't impose it on others

[@AmAxOReload]

The problem is that it was a UNANIMOUS Duma decision, which include social democrats, communist and liberals. So, it's not only Putin's party that is being homophobic, it's the entire russian political spectrum.

[@ralmcg]

To all the homophobes out there you do have a choice. Don't let yourself be consumed by the "us vs them" mentality. Gays and lesbians are not your enemy. Let go of your homophobia. The world will thank you for it.

[@ralmcg]

Being against gay propaganda to children is a good thing only if you are from a position saying that homosexuality is a bad, illegitimate idea. I wouldn't tell children the mechanics of homosexual sex but I would tell them that there are people who are in love with members of the same sex as them and that they are entitled to the freedoms and protections of heterosexuals.

[@romeowhite988]

Yes , you're right ! banning homosexual propaganda is a just requirement of public order . The fact is that majority of R.F. people is against of the HS relations. The low is much more tolerant to H.S. than R.F. society requires.

[@trifulquita15]

I bet she is against promoting pornography too shame on you Yelena Isinbayeva

[@ralmcg]

I do get it. He is shamed only because other people are so homophobic that they believe it's shameful. The shaming is the homophobes' problem. They have a choice in not shaming him.

[@Nickname006]

I speak five languages, not all of them perfectly obviously. English is not my mother tongue. Of course not every Russian is stupid, I'm just talking about the geniuses around here. Just because Isinbayeva wasn't calling gay people names doesn't mean that she wasn't extremely disrespectful.

[@ralmcg]

To those who say "Don't interfere in my country's affairs." and "Respect our laws.", especially Summon256, I interpret that as meaning, in effect, that you don't want your discriminatory practices to be criticized. I got news for you. Those practices are not above criticism. Summon256, in your reply to 7Denial7 you said that her country is overwhelmed by gays. That sounded like a critical remark to me.

[@senorsalazar]

I totally agree with Yelena. Notice she said @ 1:09 thereabouts is that they are against PUBLICITY. But then after she says they are NOT AGAINST the choice of every single person. She then goes on to emphasize: ‘IT’S THEIR LIFE. IT’S THEIR CHOICE. IT’S THEIR FEELING.’ I just don’t seem to understand why she’s being bashed left, right and center by the Western press and the international G & L community. Maybe the latter are the real haters.

[@KeiRaRaRa]

This woman wouldn't have been allowed to even compete if women before her didn't fight for her rights. She either has no appreciation for what she has been handed, or she simply doesn't care to extend the same compassion and love for people who have yet to gain what she was simply given to her by the women who had to fight for her rights. It's is her right to say these things, but to expect those who she has slandered to sit by idol is simply sad.

[@ralmcg]

Very funny. I will admit that most Russians are not vicious. However, that doesn't mean that their homophobia, if most Russian are truly homophobic, is admirable.

[@ralmcg]

I think I know what a lot of homophobes, racists, and sexists have in common. They like being homophobe, racist, and sexist because they perceive it as giving them personal advantages, material, mental, and otherwise. If they give up being these, they feel that their advantages will be gone.

[@vochinin]

You forgot that in Russia gays are not forbidded to sleep with each other. Lol.

[@ralmcg]

Having worse gay and lesbian persecution in other countries doesn't make Russia's homophobia excusable.

[@holger3943]

It's disproportionately frequent among gays. Gays have 40% higher per-partner probability of HIV transmission (Beyrer, et al., 2012), and given that they typically have much more partners than heterosexuals...

[@freedompal77]

If someone feels like a stranger or a madman Napoleon we treat it, why if a man thinks that he is a woman, we have to protect their rights?

[@EliasQuick1]

No one bans same sex relationships in Russia, you silly. What we ban is PROPAGANDA OF SUCH RELATIONSHIPS TO OUR CITIZENS.

[@m1r__]

BASED

[@rseimens9043]

So you have the right to express your opinion, but she doesn't?

[@pr0fess0r314]

"We have our law which everyone has to respect". This should be engraved on gold, and hanged on the walls in every hotel that had bad luck accepting Russian toursts.

[@DarkPieman]

The hypocrisy in your comment is palpable, but let's just ignore that. Would you care to highlight said inaccuracies?

[@ReichsrockerSS]

She hasn't condemned such displays, she's just against it and I think she has the right to dislike. And also we're all kinda tired of gay parades anyway.

[@Nickname006]

Are you so sick that you think that harming children and the love between two same-sex adults are comparable?

[@ralmcg]

Then it's the fault of society for wanting them to suffer, not of the boycotters. That statement seems like an excuse for wanting to hurt them.

[@ralmcg]

You want people to believe that Russian traditions are above criticism. I don't believe that and I think some Russians don't believe that their traditions are above criticism.