RuPaul, Sasha Velour, Lena Dunham, Mara Wilson, Rita Ora, and other stars have joined MTV’s social media campaign #EyesOnChechnya supporting the LGBTQ community living (and being victimized) in Chechnya.
Says MTV:
In Chechnya, gay and bisexual men have been hunted down, rounded up, and continue to be illegally detained in prison. Many have been tortured and at least three men have been murdered.
In spite of these horrors, not enough people are aware of what’s happening or taking action.
Together we can raise the volume on the public outcry, and let the world know that we have our #EyesOnChechnya.
Take action NOW.
Adds PAPER magazine:
In a recent interview with HBO, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that news was fake, citing that gay people can’t possibly be attacked in his country because there are no gay people. Numerous first-person accounts make that assertion false. Furthermore, the Russian government claims they have found no evidence of the accusations, despite ample reporting. Since April, when the Novaya Gazeta story went live, Donald Trump has made no personal remarks about the situation, and officials say he will not be bringing up the horrors in Chechnya personally with Putin. However, the White House has finally condemned the statements made by Kadyrov in the HBO documentary.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert called the statements “very concerning and also upsetting,” adding that they have raised concerns with Russian leaders “at the highest level.”
We’ve known about gay men targeted in Chechnya for more than 100 days. Will @whitehouse speak out? #EyesOnChechnya https://t.co/VVHkEyNefF pic.twitter.com/6jBYpBWka7
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) July 14, 2017
We cannot forget about the queer people in danger around the world! Please speak out against targeted violence in Chechnya #EyesOnChechnya https://t.co/jxQbHzrOfB
— Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) July 14, 2017
I have my #EyesOnChechnya but do you? Demand justice for the gay and bi men being targeted: https://t.co/4VPlaRKn55 pic.twitter.com/578zh9ylSU
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 12, 2017
We need to keep our #EyesOnChechnya. Go to https://t.co/0Hwni8brz3 to learn how to get involved. https://t.co/NvVXyT4ct8
— Logo 🏳️🌈 (@LogoTV) July 11, 2017
It’s a scary thing that in 2017 I still have to contribute to videos like these… #EyesOnChechnya #LGBT https://t.co/p0LzqKJ6VT
— Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) July 13, 2017
Gay and bi men are being targeted, imprisoned, even murdered in Chechnya. #EyesonChechnya https://t.co/7JhmqIBSsK
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) July 12, 2017
Proud to have cosponsored HRes351, which just passed the House! I stand w/ LGBT Chechens against violence. #EyesonChechnya #Pride2017 https://t.co/KCeRIzTd59
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) June 27, 2017
We OKed HRes351 on a voice vote today, condemning #Chechnya‘s anti-#LGBT violence. We won’t ignore human rights violations. #EyesonChechnya
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 27, 2017
I’m a proud cosponsor of H.Res. 351. #EyesonChechnya
— Rep. Donald McEachin (@RepMcEachin) June 27, 2017
BREAKING! The House passed HRes351, which condemns violence against gay and bisexual men in #Chechnya. Congress has its #EyesOnChechnya!
— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) June 27, 2017
House just passed res. I cosponsored to condemn anti-#LGBTQ violence in Chechnya. #EyesOnChechnya pic.twitter.com/AZ8nT7XELH
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) June 27, 2017
