Izzoiz.com | Thomas Roberts still hosting Ms. Universe in Russia, He will ‘Prove There’s Hope’. Really?

Thomas Roberts still hosting Ms. Universe in Russia, He will ‘Prove There’s Hope’. Really?

Openly gay MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts explained why he plans to keep his co-hosting duties at the 2013 Miss Universe pageant this November in anti-gay Russia.

President Vladimir Putin this summer signed a nationwide ban on “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships” visible to minors — essentially resulting in the criminalization of any pro-LGBT speech or silent demonstration, including waving a rainbow flag. Shortly after Putin signed the ban on so-called homosexual propaganda, he also signed a law that prohibits gay and lesbian people from adopting Russian orphans, as well as any single people from nations that embrace marriage equality. The Russian parliament, known as the State Duma, is reportedly considering a bill that would declare homosexuality tantamount to child abuse, and forcibly remove children of LGBT parents from their homes.

Roberts:

“I am not going to boycott,” Thomas writes. ”Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else.”

Roberts notes that all children — Russian, American, or otherwise — need hope. And he might be just the person to provide that example, Roberts asserts.

“I am a happy, healthy, gainfully employed, educated and married man,” writes Roberts. “And yes, I am gay. These new Russian laws won’t stop Russians from being born LGBT and growing up to identify as such. Russia’s treatment of its LGBT citizens is unacceptable, unrealistic and only promotes homophobia and intolerance for a community that does and will continue to exist.”

“We do them no favors by turning away now,” Roberts concludes. “We must be visible, we must show up, and, as Harvey Milk said, we must ‘give them hope.’ I go to prove there’s hope.”

Oh where to begin…First off Ms. Universe is owned by anti-gay marriage loving Donald Trump. For the pure fact that Trump believes Thomas should be treated as a second class citizen in this country because of who he is, should be reason enough Thomas should not be associated with the pageant. I have never understood how gay people like Thomas, George Takei or Elton John can support people who believe and vote to deny them equal rights? It really is mind boggling to me.

And secondly, Roberts is going to Russia to host a beauty pageant. Seriously? It’s not some international summit on human rights, it’s a beauty queen crowning. Exactly what “hope” is he going to prove to the LGBT community living in a country where they have absolutely ZERO civil rights or protections? Where they are being jailed, brutally beaten and tortured?

Well, I “hope” that his form of ”hope” means he will be vocal about that fact that he is a married gay man. I understand Roberts goal, but you simply can not walk into a country under fire for enacting some of the most heinous anti-gay hate laws, (now considering taking away children from gay parents) to host a SILLY SUPERFICIAL event, not take a stand, leave the next day and think you made a difference just by the fact that you are a gay man. It’s pretty lofty thinking. How many people in Russia even know who he is? LGBT people included. We are well aware of the power that social media delivers, but in 3rd world countries, especially repressive ones, jumping onto your laptop to find out the latest goings on in the world is not the same as jumping on your ipad in West Hollywood.

I like Roberts personally, but if you claim you are going to make a difference then you MAKE a “difference”.

update: Roberts and Trump have love fest over going to Russia together.

via Thomas Roberts Will Go to Russia to ‘Prove There’s Hope’ | Advocate.com.

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