An Outsider Looking In: The Lowdown on Homophobia and Racism

Two deep-seated concerns have resurfaced in the world’s media this week, with regard to Russia’s capability of hosting two major sporting events: the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 World Cup. As ever with an the Olympics, people have questioned the cost and time management of Sochi’s organising committee, but on this occasion, it is the social problems of homophobia and racism that are attracting the headlines. Given my current location, I want to offer an insider’s view on both of these issues.

This week, thousands of people have been adding their signatures to a petition, calling for the Coca Cola brand to withdraw their sponsorship from Sochi 2014, in order to condemn Russia’s new laws on homosexuality, which were passed in June earlier this year. The law banned the ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’ and means it is illegal to give children any information about homosexuality. Basically, it is illegal to demonstrate homosexual affection in public. But, unlike the international media insists on reporting, this is not a direct attack on homosexual people. In fact, Putin claims that this law defends homosexual citizens from violent, ‘anti-gay’ activists, as it should discourage people from inciting homophobic hatred. Furthermore, the law is aimed at arresting the fall in Russia’s birth rate, promoting same sex, ‘traditional’ relationships, to spark population growth. Nevertheless, it is a backward step. For me, these reasons don’t carry enough weight. Arguably, the government is responsible for not sorting out Russia’s homophobic attitude years ago, and this is their attempt to sweep the issue under the rug. But in a world where the legalisation of same sex marriage is becoming more and more common, you just can’t conceal an issue like this.

In all honesty, I’ve seen little evidence of homophobia out here, though of course, I can’t really speak from direct experiences. Last week, I was asked if I was gay by a no-nonsense sort of man who had seemingly based his judgement on the fact that I was travelling with a male companion. Also, I chose not to bring some of my more extravagant items of clothing with me, in attempt to avoid attracting attention to myself, but with hindsight I don’t feel that was necessary. Regarding Sochi, the eyes of the world will be on Russia, but I hope that the sport won’t be overshadowed by violent clashes and protests. I believe that Russia needs to reanalyse its attitude, but forcing the issue isn’t the right way to instigate the change.

The second issue that has sparked into life this week is the racism demonstrated towards black footballers. Before the European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine last year many people expressed concerns, but I don’t remember there being any problems there. I don’t see why the same thing can’t happen in 2018. Yes, some black players are occasionally subjected to racist abuse in Russia, but it is only a small portion of supporters, rather than the entire crowd. I have been to three football matches in Tomsk and at no point did I witness any racial abuse. The most high profile of these matches was against league leaders Zenit St Petersburg, some of whose fans infamously stated that they didn’t want any black players on their team, not long after signing Brazil’s Hulk and Belgium’s Axel Witsel. However, both players played in the away trip to Tom Tomsk FC and endured no racist chanting. Like in England, the main aim of both sets of ‘Ultras’ (loud, formidable fans, believed by many to have extreme political and racial views) is to intimidate the opposition with noise, and to out-sing their counterparts. It would be very unfair to label all Russia’s football supporters as racist, just as it is unfair to say that everyone is homophobic, because it tends to be a small minority of people causing the problems. This small minority has caused Manchester City’s Yaya Toure to call for a boycott of the 2018 World Cup by black players. I understand that even one player being subjected to racial abuse is unacceptable, but a boycott of the tournament won’t solve the problem. The Russian FA and UEFA need to work together to stamp out the abuse. Whether it means banning clubs from European competition or trying to target the specific fans responsible, something needs to be done. Yaya Toure has rekindled the debate and has got people talking about it. I believe it is these words that will ultimately triumph in the fight against racism, hopefully before any reckless, and potentially self-destructive, action is taken. 

I’m not trying to downplay these issues; I just want to cast them in a more realistic light. I love this country in so many ways and I don’t want people to develop stereotypes based upon a few individuals. Of course, Russia has to do something about homophobia, but it may not be possible before Sochi 2014. The re-education of a nation is not something that will happen in just a few months. In my opinion, talking about these issues is the best way to instigate change. Hopefully, these sporting events will show Russia the benefits and brilliance of diverse races and sexual orientation to allow them to move forward.