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At the risk of sounding insensitive (I'm not), I'd like to make a reminder that Hitler persecuted Jews and homosexuals alike...the Jews were a priority for him,

At the risk of sounding insensitive (I'm not), I'd like to make a reminder that Hitler persecuted Jews and homosexuals alike...the Jews were a priority for him, but he had infrastructure dedicated to several groups. More importantly, because this article doesn't really cite much except for Stephen Fry's word, I'd like to here highlight that it's very much factual and well-documented, so as to remove doubt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russia I direct your attention particularly to the treatment of those who speak out against the anti-Gay laws, usually resulting in imprisonment. Moreover, the last poll put public support for Gay rights incredibly low - 74% stated they believe homosexuality should be banned and "rejected" from society. EDIT: Upon re-reading the article, I think it would also prudent to point out there's no mention of strong nationalism playing into this. While the issue of LGBT rights in Russia is obviously well-documented and a persistent problem, I think it might be a mischaracterization to claim they are being "blamed" for the nation's problems in the same way Hitler used the Jews as a scapegoat. Putin is a very well-established and popular leader if I recall correctly, so I also don't see why he'd need such a polarizing campaign.

guard-of-terra 13y ago
"Putin is a very well-established and popular leader if I recall correctly, so I also don't see why he'd need such a polarizing campaign" He got 52% where I live, it's good for an American president but like a failure for a Popular Dictator. And polarizing is what he does every day since fall 2011. He's no longer the president of all russians, he's a president of all russians minus a long and detailed list of people he accuses of various wrongdoings or wrongthinkings.
- moocowduckquack 13y ago
  He has also tied his political image to his health and masculinity, which I personally think is a really stupid move on his part. Playing the bare chested strongman has a definite lifespan to it. Personally I think that he has also forced himself to be publicly homophobic as if he wasn't, then all of his strutting around half naked asking men to wrestle, might look a little bit suspect to his followers, Russia being fond of the concept of the gay conspiracy meme these days. Hell, even the Russian Olympic wrestling coach alleged that the removal of wrestling from the Olympics was due to a gay conspiracy, apparently being unaware that wrestling is one of the most homoerotic sports on the planet.
corin_ 13y ago
What part of that comment did you think might sound insensitive - or was that a preemptive worry before you wrote the comment and you ended up not needing it? Either way, didn't feel insensitive at all. Worth noting that Fry is definitely aware of what Hitler did to gays, but what he did to Jews is higher profile, most known and most understood, so making that comparison is the easiest one in a letter like this.
- dylangs1030 13y ago
  I thought it might be perceived as minimizing the Gay rights issue in Russia when I said it doesn't seem to be the same scale as the Holocaust, to put it more bluntly. But you're right, I guess I didn't need it :) I agree it's higher profile, but it also makes it more scary than it has to be I think. The issue of Gay rights is strong enough to stand on its own without making it seem as though Russia blames them for its problems.
mones 13y ago
Why do you use 'gay' as a category? It's not, and categorizing people with a level of same-sex-attraction is insensitive.

guard-of-terra 13y ago

"Putin is a very well-established and popular leader if I recall correctly, so I also don't see why he'd need such a polarizing campaign" He got 52% where I live, it's good for an American president but like a failure for a Popular Dictator. And polarizing is what he does every day since fall 2011. He's no longer the president of all russians, he's a president of all russians minus a long and detailed list of people he accuses of various wrongdoings or wrongthinkings.

moocowduckquack 13y ago
He has also tied his political image to his health and masculinity, which I personally think is a really stupid move on his part. Playing the bare chested strongman has a definite lifespan to it. Personally I think that he has also forced himself to be publicly homophobic as if he wasn't, then all of his strutting around half naked asking men to wrestle, might look a little bit suspect to his followers, Russia being fond of the concept of the gay conspiracy meme these days. Hell, even the Russian Olympic wrestling coach alleged that the removal of wrestling from the Olympics was due to a gay conspiracy, apparently being unaware that wrestling is one of the most homoerotic sports on the planet.

corin_ 13y ago

What part of that comment did you think might sound insensitive - or was that a preemptive worry before you wrote the comment and you ended up not needing it? Either way, didn't feel insensitive at all. Worth noting that Fry is definitely aware of what Hitler did to gays, but what he did to Jews is higher profile, most known and most understood, so making that comparison is the easiest one in a letter like this.

dylangs1030 13y ago
I thought it might be perceived as minimizing the Gay rights issue in Russia when I said it doesn't seem to be the same scale as the Holocaust, to put it more bluntly. But you're right, I guess I didn't need it :) I agree it's higher profile, but it also makes it more scary than it has to be I think. The issue of Gay rights is strong enough to stand on its own without making it seem as though Russia blames them for its problems.

mones 13y ago

Why do you use 'gay' as a category? It's not, and categorizing people with a level of same-sex-attraction is insensitive.