Putin and his government are surprised that the gays (and our allies) are fighting back. Here are a few things that we can do to increase the pressure on Russia...

Watch this interview with Russian LGBT activist Masha Gessen, who believes that Putin has been surprised by the recent, strong international backlash to his anti-gay policies.  

1. She believes that anything that activists do -- boycotts, rallies, social media action -- will help pressure the Russians from passing even more repressive and homophobic laws. We need to keep doing things and then tweet Putin (@KremlinRussia_E) and the Russian Olympic committee (@sochi2014) about them.  Yes, let them know the world is watching.

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2. Activist Nikolay Alekseyev argues that the LGBT activists should lobby Western governments to stop issuing travel visas for Russian government officials who promote these hateful laws. Let's make them pay a personal cost for their anti-gay rhetoric (by not allowing them to visit or shop in the West).  Read his convincing commentary here.

3. According to Masha, the 2014 Winter Olympics is Putin's pet project.  We should pressure big Olympic corporate sponsors (as well as the spineless International Olympic Committee) to speak out and continue to pushback on its Russian hosts. 

4. Olympic athletes should go to Sochi and participate fully in the Games.  But they also should find creative, peaceful ways -- same-sex hand-holding and kissing -- to send a clear message to the world: that the LGBT are human beings too, and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity by all people, no matter what some cultures or religions say.  In my wildest dreams, I would love to see thousands of Olympic athletes wave rainbow flags at the closing ceremonies of Sochi.  That would be really gay! 

No matter what you do, keep standing up for the LGBT for everywhere!