Someone once said if it’s personal then it’s political.

The statement very much describes the situation in Russia since the government there passed a law dealing with homosexuality.

It basically prevents the spread of any “ propaganda” to minors in support of non-traditional relationships.

More than three-quarters of the Russian population is in support of the new law but one could ask how many of those surveyed understood what they were supporting.

The ink wasn’t dry on the new law when Olympic athletes who are gay or lesbian raised their voices in protest, especially since Russia will host the 2014 games.

The call went out quickly for a boycott and from my perspective, a boycott will not do anything but punish all those athletes who have trained for the past two years in order to get to Sochi.

Nyet, nyet on the boycott.

Instead, let’s have all those athletes, especially the high profile ones, gay or not, speak out about the issue whenever the Russian media interviews them.

I understand this could be dangerous and it does go against the official law in the country but if you want to make a point, this could be the time and place.

There are many cases throughout history where people have made great sacrifices in support of their beliefs so there may be a martyr amongst the LGBT movement.

But sometimes you have to pick your battles so there is another side of me which agrees with the philosophy of the Olympics not being a venue for statements of this nature.

Being against the law is one thing but knowingly breaking it is another and the Russian officials have not made it clear what their plan is in dealing with gay athletes during the games.

So as difficult a situation as it might be to keep a lid on things the best course of action might be to remain silent about the issue while in Mother Russia and keep speaking out against this discrimination in a safer environment.

If you know anything about Russian history you know the people running the show can be very stubborn and really don’t give a Tzar’s patootie if you like what they do within the political arena.

This whole mess stinks like month-old caviar but you have to be very naïve to think the boys at the Kremlin are going to change their minds, boycott or not.

As Boney M once sang-“Oh those Russians”.

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