Why are LGBT equality activists pushing so hard on Russia?

Three reasons:

• Russia is part of Europe and the G8, which is the elite club of rich and powerful countries. Mother Russia has considerable influence; it is not just another developing country like Uganda or Pakistan, which treat the LGBT even worse.
• Russia is hosting two important world sporting events in the next 5 years, drawing billions of spectators: the Winter Olympics in 2014 and the World Cup in 2018.
• Putin's popularity is slipping and he is using homophobia and antigay laws to buoy his political support.  If Putin wants Russia to be respected as a great power by the world, he needs to earn that respect by treating all his citizens well and stop the bullying of gays. 

So, we are standing-up to this bully and warning other ones.

Let's go to Sochi and find peaceful ways to remind the world that gay people are being mistreated there and everywhere.  This is a teachable moment.

Joe