More than 50 Olympians past and present have put their names to a growing petition calling on Russia to cease its crackdown on gays ahead of the Sochi Winter Games, activists said Thursday.
The online petition, which has gathered more than 405,000 signatures, appears on the websites of global equality group All Out and Athlete Ally, which tackles homophobia in sports.
In a statement, the two groups also announced protests to be held in Moscow, Sochi, London, Rio de Janeiro and other cities on February 5, two days before the start of one of the most controversial Olympic Games in years.
Among the Olympians past and present who have signed the petition are Sochi-bound snowboarder Belle Brockhoff and bobsleigh pilot Heath Spence, both from Australia, along with Canadian skier Mike Janyk.
"We stand with citizens across Russia who are calling on their government to stop the crackdown against lesbian, gay, bi and trans people that is fueling anti-gay violence," the petition states.
"We urge leaders around the world and within Russia to work to eliminate all anti-gay laws and protect all citizens from violence and discrimination in Russia."
The full list of Olympians who signed the petition is at athleteally.org.
"The petition offers an array of star athletes past and present," said Jules Boykoff, a former member of the US Olympic soccer team who now teaches at Pacific University in Oregon state.
"My hope is that it creates space for an athlete participating in the Sochi Olympics to speak out for human rights, for LGBTQ rights," said Boykoff, author of "Activism and the Olympics: Dissent at the Games in Vancouver and London."
All Out's New York-based executive director Andre Banks said Olympic sponsors also bear a responsibility to speak out against new laws in Russia directed at the LGBT community.
"We've just heard the Russian government is considering amendments to the anti-gay laws, but sponsors continue to look the other way while gays and lesbians in Russia suffer," he said.
Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov told BBC television this week that gays and lesbians are welcome to attend the Winter Games so long as they "respect the rules of the Russian Federation."
Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said homosexuals could feel "relaxed" about attending the Olympics -- but also suggested that they "leave children alone, please."
David Pichler, who represented the United States in diving at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Games, saluted fellow Olympians who have joined the global outcry over Russian policy toward the LGBT community.
But he acknowledged that there are limits to what competitors at Sochi, many of them Olympic newcomers, can do as they attempt to keep their minds on their number-one goal -- winning medals.
"The ones who have the courage (to speak out), I respect them greatly. But I don't want (others) to feel any pressure or be afraid," said Pichler, who came out as gay prior to the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
Pichler, who signed the All Out/Athlete Ally petition, spoke to reporters in a telephone conference call organized by Human Rights First.
The New York-based group's advocacy counsel Shawn Gaylord said anti-gay laws in Russia, including legislation that equates homosexuality with pedophilia, was having "really devastating effects" in its LGBT community.
"We support the athletes, but we also think it's important when we're talking about vital human rights issues that those don't get lost in the mix," said Gaylord, who plans to be in Sochi for the Games.
Arkady Gyngazov, former manager of Moscow's Central Station nightclub, a popular gay venue recently targeted by gunfire and gas attacks, feared for what might come after the Olympiad.
"I think it will be worse, because the focus of international pressure will disappear and the government will start doing everything they want," said Gygnazov, who is seeking asylum in the United States citing anti-gay harassment.
Copyright (2014) AFP. All rights reserved.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.