Anatoly Pakhomov As Sochi is about to host the Winter Olympics, its Mayor has made a claim that there are no gay people in the Russian city. Anatoly Pakhomov made the statement on BBC, before admitting: "I am not sure, but I don't bloody know them.'' However he claimed gay people would be welcome at the Games: "Our hospitality will be extended to everyone who respects the laws of the Russian Federation and doesn't impose their habits on others.'' When asked whether gay people have to hide their sexuality in Sochi, the mayor said: "No, we just say that it is your business, it's your life. "But it's not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live. We do not have them in our city.'' Russia’s RT says there are at least two gay clubs Sochi, and BBC managed to track down one of them. It spoke to a drag queen at the bar, who said "In some places there's serious prejudice against gay people. In other places it's not as bad.''
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 28th January 2014 - 8:48am