Quote:
Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate
A patch may not change the minds of Russians or the Russian government, but it would do several other things:
1) Tell the world where Canada stands in terms of LGBT rights. Ending slavery didn't happen in every country at the same time, but one by one, countries took an ethical stand and stopped the disgusting practice. But it took people standing up and letting others know that they thought it was wrong for progress to be made.
2) Tell the LGBT citizens of Canada know that we support them and their rights, both here and abroad. That we respect them. We saw just last year here in Ottawa the son of a city councillor committed suicide because he was being bullied and tormented for being gay. The "It Gets Better" campaign shouldn't need to exist because it shouldn't be bad to start with. We can send a signal to young people that being gay is no different than being of another race or religion and they should feel free to be who they are rather than hiding it.
3) It tells those suffering as LGBT in other countries that Canada is a safe haven for people wanting to escape foolish and cruel persecution in other countries. If Russia has talented engineers or doctors that happen to be gay, Canada would welcome them.
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So, you are not really so much about equity, you just support LGBT community. You are willing to fight for LGBT rights, but not willing to do anything about overseas-born USA citizens not being able to become president and I assume you did not support the idea to boycott London Olympics even though English Queen is
getting a lot of money simply because she was born Queen. Other British people are not getting anything similar, but you are fine with this inequity based on birth.
And you know what, I really don't have any problem with any of your three goals. I don't mind Canada telling the world where it stands on LGBT issues. I don't mind Canada telling your own canadian LGBTs that you support them here and abroad, although I don't quite understand why do you need to go to Russia to do it. And I actually support your third point, even though calling $150 fine a "cruel persecution" is probably excessive.
And do you know, what is the difference between me and most of my opponents here? If I was them, I would post something like:
"So, the son of Ottawa councillor committed suicide because he was bullied as gay, so you decided to go to Russia and tell Russians that they are backwards and should be ashamed of themselves. Makes sense!"