As the Sochi Winter Olympics approach their second week, controversy over corruption and LGBT+ oppression in Russia rages on. In the aftermath of Sunday’s same-sex affection flashmob, Russia is uppermost in the minds of many Cantabrigians.

Varsity caught up with Pavel Tsarevskiy, an electoral observer for Liga Izbirateley [League of Voters], and an MBA student at Hughes Hall. He believes that “propaganda and brainwash[ing]” from Western politicians and media “resembles the worst of Cold War Russophobia.”

“Even here in Cambridge, where I supposed people were smart enough to question what they read in mass media, I am listening to crazy political propositions for boycotting the games.”

The Cambridge Union’s debate last week was “This House would boycott the Sochi Olympics.” The results suggest a student body in two minds: seventy-nine attendees voted for the motion, eighty-two against and thirty-four abstained. Heated interventions from audience and panellists contributed to an already emotional debate focused on LGBT+ oppression in Russia.

Elly Smith was one of those present. Frustrated by the situation, she decided to organise a same-sex affection flashmob.

The resulting demonstration, held on Sunday, attracted over 100 people and created an event which was covered in national and international media.
Same-sex couples kissed, hugged and danced to send a message of solidarity to the LGBT+ community in Russia and elsewhere. On King’s Parade, businesses and residents flew the rainbow flag and hung bunting, while music played out of Caffè Nero.

Ryan Howard, a participant, said: “It was really heartwarming to be part of it. To LGBT+ people in Russia: the world is listening, and the world is fighting for you.”

Ed Boyd, another participant, enjoyed the event: “In the midst of it all, whether you were gay or not felt unimportant. The general feeling seemed to be that love’s something to be celebrated whoever it is you happen to love and it really sucks that some people hate you for it.”

Elly recalled the many people who had shown her kindness on Sunday, from the porters at Trinity Hall to the Caffe Nero staff. “I was surprised I didn’t have any unsupportive reactions. I laughed when I was talking to the guy in the camera shop – he said if he had known, he would have worn his rainbow suit.”

But some, like Pavel, see hypocrisy in criticisms of Russia: “The EU is experiencing economic and cultural problems. Rather than trying to cooperate with Russia economically and culturally, the EU is ... isolating Russia in some sort of European Ghetto.

“Russians see double standards in the West, many conservative Russians will evaluate those [LGBT+ protests] activities as orchestrated actions to destroy traditional family values in Russia.

“Russian society has many other more serious problems. Russia is looking for its identity after years of social disasters ... The core of [Russian] values is the family, while LGBT+ culture from this conservative prospective seems to be marginal.”

However, many Cambridge students do not agree with Pavel’s sentiment that the UK should be more accepting of the Russian government’s values. Jack Smith, a Canadian skier and first-year HSPS student at King’s College, said: “The Winter Olympics means a lot to the athletes and to many people watching back at home, but we can’t leave our values at home when we’re on the world stage, regardless of the event.”

Sarah Regan, press officer for Sunday’s flashmob, was optimistic about the event: “The reach goes far beyond the people who participated. People from the cafés came out to watch, the cyclists stopped and tourists filmed it. We have to capitalise on what we did,” she said.

Footage from Cambridge’s flashmob will go towards a compilation of footage from solidarity events nationally. Louise Englefield, director of Pride Sports, is also liaising with the Cambridge branch of To Russia With Love. She hopes to ensure that footage, pictures, and messages from the flashmob reach activists in Russia, and send them a message of solidarity.

Sarah, clearly moved after the demonstration, also said: “A moment like this when everyone can gather in a public place in a world-famous city and hold hands and embrace and kiss and get nothing but positive reactions from the people who walk past is a big message for the people of Russia that this [LGBT+ oppression] will end.”