AVOID FOCUSING ATTENTION ON THE GAY BAR IN SOCHI
• The Mayak Caberet has attracted attention for being a gay bar in Sochi. There have • According to the American Psychological
been media visits and tours, ostensibly
Association, “Heterosexual and gay men are
to demonstrate that LGBT people are not
equally likely to sexually abuse children. A
persecuted. However, according to the Daily
perception that most perpetrators are gay
Mail, the Mayak Caberet is actually one of
men is a myth and harmful stereotype.”
the last gay bars in the Sochi area.
• Professor of Psychology at the University of
• Elsewhere in the country, LGBT groups
California at Davis, Gregory Herek, writes
and gatherings have not fared as well. On
“The empirical research does not show that
November 16, gunmen opened fire on the
gay or bisexual men are any more likely
Central Station, a gay club in Moscow.
than heterosexual men to molest children.” He also notes “This well known lack of a linkage between homosexuality and child molestation accounts for why relatively little research has directly addressed the issue […] Proving something that is already widely known simply isn’t a priority for scientists.”
• Private gatherings of LGBT people, including an HIV support group and the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, have come under attack. Russian authorities are not investigating or prosecuting those who committed the attacks. • Reporters would do well to ask about the fate of other LGBT bars in Sochi, outside of Mayak Caberet, as well as what patterns of patronage have occurred, and what LGBT advocacy groups are available locally.
GLAAD’S SOCHI OLYMPICS PLAYBOOK
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