The Olympics start tonight, and I am going to be watching with mixed feelings: the love of a sports fan, and the concern of a member of the LGBT community. I shudder when I think that Russia may soon pass a bill that would allow the state to take children from parents for no reason other than that the parents are LGBT. The Family Equality Council is taking action, however, and asking people to send a message of love and support to LGBT people in Russia through the “To Sochi With Love” campaign.
To participate, share a photo of your family through social media using the hashtags #tosochiwithlove and #vSochisLubovyu. Then go to the campaign website and upload the photo to be featured on Family Equality’s site. If you like, download and print the “To Sochi With Love” poster first, write a message on it, and hold it when you take your photo.
Gabriel Blau, the new executive director of Family Equality, explained in an e-mail to supporters:
The Olympics have always stood for friendship and goodwill. As we gather to celebrate our highest ideals and witness determination and hard work turn into triumph and glory — there are those who won’t be celebrating. They’ll be too busy trying to stay out of harm’s way.
They need to hear from us that they are not alone. A simple image of hope and love from your family to theirs could help carry our friends through this difficult time.
All throughout the Olympics we will be sharing images of solidarity, community, good will, and love with our families in Russia –Â in the true spirit of the games. Help us show that their struggles are not forgotten and that they have friends in us.
While the world is watching, let them see what love looks like.
I’ve added my family photo. Will you add yours?