Dear Reader,
I want to introduce you to Ivan Okhlobystin, a
Russian actor and an ex-priest. Besides starring in the Russian version of “Scrubs”
he is also famous for his homophobic statements and the open letter to Putin
asking for reintroduction of criminal prosecution laws against homosexuals.
In December 2013 he made a statement:
"I would have them all stuffed alive inside an oven. This is Sodom and Gomorrah, as a believer, I cannot remain indifferent to this, it is a living danger to my children!" I don't want my children thinking that being a faggot is normal. This is gay fascism! If a man cannot choose an appropriate person of the opposite sex for reproduction - that is a clear sign of mental abnormality, then he needs to be deprived of that right to choose."
Later on Twitter (https://twitter.com/PsykerO1477)
he confirmed his statement defending himself by saying that "Everyone has
the right to express their opinions."
One month later he
wrote the open letter asking the president to reintroduce the law from the
Soviet criminal code. He said that anti-propaganda law is not effective enough
and Russia needs stricter measures in order to eliminate homosexuality from the
eyes of public. (For those of you who speak Russian –you can find an open
letter here.) Okhlobystin also suggests that a national referendum is necessary
in order to address this issue and establish the criminal punishment for
homosexuality.
I really enjoy movies and TV shows with this Russian actor, since Okhlobystin is very talented and charismatic. However, I have never known about his opinion towards homosexuality before reading this post. I don't want to judge him, but in my opinion, he is too harsh in making such statements against it. I believe that everyone has a right to be in any kind of relationships, unless they violate the well-being of others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Galina. No one is forced to accept or reject homosexuality, and everyone has the right for his or her opinion. But using such harsh words kills the very idea of freedom and democracy.
ReplyDeleteOne thing is to express an opinion, another thing is to offend and encourage hate. This statement just goes over the top. Ivan Okhlobystin, you do have a right to express your opinion, and I have a right to say that it's sh*t. The very fact that you called it fascism makes your statement very disturbing. Your child will not "turn" homosexual by seeing gays on the street. It's not a choice a person makes.
ReplyDeleteThe statement of Ivan Okhlobystin, which was made during the mass campaign against LGBT community in Russia, is the symptom of the big social desease in Russian minds. His statement, which was supported by many young Russians, looks like an attempt to gain popularity, using anti-gay rhetoric, which became the new 2013 trend . We used to blame someone else in our problems, but maybe such talented and popular person, as Mr. Okhlobystin, should express his opinion in more appropriate way, not by making statements, which can be qualified as crime, under art. 280 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
ReplyDelete