(GayWebSource.com - Gay News & Press Network) - Posted by Michael Lamb - Echelon Magazine
by Jennifer Jigour
Two lessons I’ve learned in life are to looks at things from different perspectives and to challenge my own beliefs.
When the first shouts of Olympic boycotting came out, I was right there cheering on Stephen Frys’ open letter to David Cameron and the IOC. George Takei’s idea of moving the Olympics wasn’t a bad idea either. At least that way we could all happily watch or participate in the games without fear. I was ready to protest in the name of human rights to do the right thing. But then I stopped for a second and thought; “I wonder how a gay Russian feels about this?”
I happened to stumble upon LGBT activist Igor Kochetkov’s words in response to Stephan Fry, George Takei and other LGBT activists who call for boycotts. He said, “I have a question for those who call for a boycott…Maybe we ought to try a different approach? Maybe we ought to try and make this platform available for the voices that are not heard in Russia? You can only do this by coming to Sochi.” Interesting, I thought. It was eye opening. Here is an example of not just a Russian gay man, but one who is deeply involved in LGBT activism in St. Petersburg. He is living on the battleground and he wants us to actively participate in Sochi.
If the issue with LGBT rights in Russia is a kind of war, and Sochi is the battleground, then what would you do? Run away? Look away? Turn off the television so you feel a sense of protection? To try to make an impact? As if that’ll show big bully Putin.
I have a sinking suspicion that Putin really wouldn’t care. If he really cared about the opinions of Americans, we could have made some progress with Human Rights before the Olympics. What about the LGBT people still in Russia? They cannot turn off the television so easily. The battleground is not overseas – it’s under their feet. Maybe we should watch; not to appease any kind of satisfaction for Putin’s Olympics, but out of solidarity for the many LGBT Russians who cannot shut their eyes to what is going on.
Speaking of eyes, there are other public icons that share the perspective on boycotting the Olympics. As Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot recently said, “We want to see Americans keep their eyes open and not just buy what Putin is trying to sell them.” Pussy Riot’s position is a boycott. “You can hold a passive boycott, which means not going to Sochi, not writing about Sochi.”
The question then becomes, whom do we listen to? Two well known gay actors from the West, LGBT activists, and Pussy Riot, who are telling us to reject the Sochi Olympics? Or a Gay Russian LGBT Activist who tells us to watch and use the Sochi Olympics as an opportunity of support for the LGBT community?
My opinion is that maybe they’re both the right way. Maybe the best way is how you can make the most difference. If that is by joining Pussy Riot go do it! If it is watching Sochi in order to watch those openly LGBT athletes accomplish their dreams, or watching out of solidarity, then that is okay, too. However if you do decide to watch, do as Pussy Riot said and keep your eyes open. Watch openly and actively and don’t buy the frills that are on display. It could be an educational experience into a world that sees things differently.
I will be watching some of the Olympics, but let me tell you something, I’ll not be watching for Putin’s pleasure. I do not support the discrimination against LGBT in Russia. There are several open LGBT athletes who are participating in the Olympics and I will be watching their sport to cheer them on. They have worked long and hard to get to this point, in addition to braving their souls as LGBT. Sexuality is not always visible with rainbows and glitter and things. I know the act of pretending to be someone you’re not. It is my guess that there are many more athletes competing that for many reasons will not wear their sexuality on their sleeves. Some of them just might even be Russian. And this might be their only chance to have worldwide audience attention.
If the Sochi Olympics is the battleground then we need many strategies, not just one. We need activist such as Pussy Riot, Igor Kochetkov, Masha Gessen and even Stephen Fry, George Takei, Madonna, you and me. There is more than one way to see these Olympics. There is more than one way to be an activist and make a difference here. The choice is yours. All I ask is that you stay awake, keep your eyes open—really open—and see.
Jennifer Jigour studied at Santa Clara University and has been a visual artist for over two decades, in fine art, photography, theatre design, scene painting and film. Her photography exhibits include, Portraits of America: Land of the Free? (2005), This Is What A Feminist looks Like (2006), and The Fatherhood Project (2006) with co-photographer Renee Billingslea. She has also created two short films, Twisted Lipstick (2008), and a documentary on California Proposition 8 called Love is Free (2008). Jigour also created a short animated film study of Secret Agent Moscow called The Dream, which premiered at the Fringe Festival in San Francisco in 2009 and was also the storyboard artist for Rolla Selbak’s feature film, Three Veils. Secret Agent Moscow marks her debut as a writer and illustrator. Most recently, she also illustrated the cover art to the single “Va Va Voom to the Moon” by pop/dance/electronic group Fans of Jimmy Century. She currently lives in San Jose, CA, and is working on Part 2 of the Secret Agent Moscow series. For further information on the book and the author, please visit www.secretagentmoscow.com.
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