Saturday, August 3, 2013

Travel icon Arthur Frommer warns of danger for LGBT travelers in Russia


Travel guide guru Arthur Frommer has penned a lengthy warning of Russia's anti-gay laws, telling his readers of the oppressive laws harming LGBT folks there, and advising travelers and the tourism industry to take "appropriate action:"

Writes Frommer in a blog post:

Several gay authors of Frommer travel guides have already informed me that they will no longer risk travel to Russia as long as the "pro-gay propaganda" statute is in effect. Some among them are calling for a broader boycott of all travel to Russia by all Americans, gay or not, as a protest against this denial of human rights. They refer not only to the new legislation, but to several recent incidents of physical assaults by prejudiced young Russians against gay persons, none of which seemed to interest Russian police. And of course, officials and athletes preparing to participate in the winter Olympics are seriously concerned.

In the words of another Frommer author: "The new Russian law is extremely dangerous, borne of dark nationalism, and through its virulent ignorance, the stage is set for a witch hunt. History has shown only too clearly what can happen when a government provides for the systematic silencing and disenfranchisement of an unpopular minority".

(h/t Towleroad)

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