Putin says gays 'can feel safe' at Sochi Winter Olympics - CNN

Putin says gays 'can feel safe' at Sochi Winter Olympics

Russian vigilantes targeting gay men
Russian vigilantes targeting gay men

    JUST WATCHED

    Russian vigilantes targeting gay men

MUST WATCH

Russian vigilantes targeting gay men 03:29

Story highlights

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin says homosexuals have nothing to fear in Russia
  • "You can feel safe and free here, but please leave our children in peace," he says
  • His remarks come as he meets volunteers for the upcoming Winter Olympics
  • Putin told ambassadors Thursday the games would be held "without any discrimination"
Russia's Vladimir Putin again sought to downplay fears that gay visitors will be discriminated against as he paid a visit to the Sochi area Friday, exactly three weeks before the Winter Olympics get under way.
Putin's remarks came as he met with volunteers for the games, the state-run Itar-Tass news agency reported.
The President said Russia, unlike some other countries, does not criminalize homosexual relationships.
"We don't outlaw anything and don't nab anyone," Putin said.
"That's why you can feel safe and free here, but please leave our children in peace," he added.
Russian gay parents fear losing children
Russian gay parents fear losing children

    JUST WATCHED

    Russian gay parents fear losing children

MUST WATCH

Russian gay parents fear losing children 02:33
Russian gay rights activist may lose job
Russian gay rights activist may lose job

    JUST WATCHED

    Russian gay rights activist may lose job

MUST WATCH

Russian gay rights activist may lose job 02:17
Gays face hatred attacks in Russia
Gays face hatred attacks in Russia

    JUST WATCHED

    Gays face hatred attacks in Russia

MUST WATCH

Gays face hatred attacks in Russia 02:44
Russia has come under international pressure since its parliament passed a law last summer outlawing "gay propaganda." The legislation makes it illegal to tell children about gay equality.
The law has been widely criticized by Western leaders who have called it archaic and discriminatory. Human rights activists say it proves Russia is unworthy of hosting the latest Winter Olympics.
Putin's meeting with the Olympic volunteers came a day after he told foreign ambassadors in Moscow that the event would be held "without any discrimination" against athletes and visitors.
"The games will be held in complete compliance with the Olympic Charter, without any discrimination on the basis of any characteristic," Putin said Thursday, according to state media.
The Olympic Charter states that: "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement."
Police presence
Security has been stepped up in and around Sochi ahead of the Games.
Former gay Olympian: Don't boycott Sochi
Former gay Olympian: Don't boycott Sochi

    JUST WATCHED

    Former gay Olympian: Don't boycott Sochi

MUST WATCH

Former gay Olympian: Don't boycott Sochi 01:27
Gay culture alive in Sochi, Russia
Gay culture alive in Sochi, Russia

    JUST WATCHED

    Gay culture alive in Sochi, Russia

MUST WATCH

Gay culture alive in Sochi, Russia 02:33
President Obama skipping Sochi Olympics
President Obama skipping Sochi Olympics

    JUST WATCHED

    President Obama skipping Sochi Olympics

MUST WATCH

President Obama skipping Sochi Olympics 06:50
A twin bomb attack on public transit in the southern city of Volgograd at the end of December heightened concerns that Islamist terrorists may seek to strike in Sochi.
There was a heavy police presence on the streets of the Black Sea resort Friday as Putin visited the area.
Two security blimps also hovered in the skies above the Sochi Olympic Village, allowing long-range monitoring of activities on the ground.
Meanwhile, last-minute construction work continues apace ahead of the expected influx of 6,000 athletes from 85 countries and thousands more visitors from around the world.
The event has cost at least $50 billion to stage, including major infrastructure work in and around Sochi.