Skip to content
Advertisement

Social Issues

Latest Stories

5428cc0aa6945d054b0f6a70670069c7.jpg

5428cc0aa6945d054b0f6a70670069c7.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Kira, left, and Lisa, right, who would only give their stage names, perform during a show at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

4e101035a6945d054b0f6a706700445c.jpg

4e101035a6945d054b0f6a706700445c.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, a dancer performs in the crowd at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

474aa7a7a6945d054b0f6a7067002c85.jpg

474aa7a7a6945d054b0f6a7067002c85.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, two men watch a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

43faf2c2a6945d054b0f6a706700bfb4.jpg

43faf2c2a6945d054b0f6a706700bfb4.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Penelopa, who would only give his stage name, steps out on stage for a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

4478f7b2a6945d054b0f6a70670028e6.jpg

4478f7b2a6945d054b0f6a70670028e6.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Kira, who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

34acfc76a6945d054b0f6a706700e81e.jpg

34acfc76a6945d054b0f6a706700e81e.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Kira, who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

31ebbd78a6945d054b0f6a706700d02a.jpg

31ebbd78a6945d054b0f6a706700d02a.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Lisa, who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

14fb6e60a6945d054b0f6a7067000bf7.jpg

14fb6e60a6945d054b0f6a7067000bf7.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Aisidora Vulkan, who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage while wearing a rubber chest prosthetic before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

1331fcb8a6945d054b0f6a70670004b0.jpg

1331fcb8a6945d054b0f6a70670004b0.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, a dancer dressed as a police officer, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

0c5b00aca6945d054b0f6a706700400b.jpg

0c5b00aca6945d054b0f6a706700400b.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Penelopa who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

3fa29efcc82369054b0f6a706700454b.jpg

3fa29efcc82369054b0f6a706700454b.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, performers Penelopa, right, and Veranda, left, who would only give their stage names, get ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

b66be80ba6935d054b0f6a7067002a62.jpg

b66be80ba6935d054b0f6a7067002a62.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Lisa, who would only give his stage name, smokes a cigarette while getting ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

b571daf1a6935d054b0f6a7067006649.jpg

b571daf1a6935d054b0f6a7067006649.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, wigs hang backstage as Veranda, who would only give his stage name, gets ready before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

aac3211da6935d054b0f6a706700f2a5.jpg

aac3211da6935d054b0f6a706700f2a5.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Kira, who would only give his stage name, puts on pantyhose while getting ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

a5a8b29ca6935d054b0f6a7067007cbc.jpg

a5a8b29ca6935d054b0f6a7067007cbc.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Andrei Sarkisian, right, who goes by the stage name of Miss Zhuzha, gets ready backstage before a performance with fellow cast member who would only give his stage name, Zaza Napoli, at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

9ff57624a6935d054b0f6a7067002fbc.jpg

9ff57624a6935d054b0f6a7067002fbc.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, gay activist Robert Smith, right, board member with Athlete Ally, speaks with locals at Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

5b99f368a6935d054b0f6a7067006529.jpg

5b99f368a6935d054b0f6a7067006529.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Zaza Napoli, who would only give his stage name, gets ready before a show backstage at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

24c19a29a6935d054b0f6a7067005f56.jpg

24c19a29a6935d054b0f6a7067005f56.jpg

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, workers wait for customers to arrive before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Russia, host to 2014 Winter Olympics. Russia adopted a law last year, prohibiting vaguely defined propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia. The legislation makes it illegal to disseminate information to children even if it merely shows that gay people are just like everybody else. At Mayak, packed on Saturday night, gay men and women steered away from discussing the law, preferring to enjoy life, closeted as it is. About a hundred people were chatting at the bar, sitting in armchairs or dancing. Couples were sharing kisses. Everyone was waiting for the club's specialty: a drag show. At 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the music stopped and the show began. (AP Photo/David Goldman)