Johnny Weir Willing to Be Arrested In Sochi

Recently, Russia has passed some pretty strict anti-gay laws. The new law strictly prohibits “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” This could have some serious negative implications for gay athletes and tourists heading Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. U.S. Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir says that if he is arrested in Sochi, so be it.

In an interview, Weir told CBS News that should he make the U.S. Olympic team, he will not be deterred by the turmoil in Russia.

"Would the Olympics be in Saudi Arabia, in Palestine, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Mars, I would go,” he said. “Because that’s what I’m trained to do and that’s what I’ve devoted my life to.”"

While he has no plans to explicitly draw attention to himself while in Russia, he refuses to back down from who he is inside.

"If it takes me getting arrested for people to pay attention, and for people to lobby against this law, then I’m willing to take it,” he said, adding: “Like anyone, I’m scared to be arrested. But I’m also not afraid of being arrested.” ~ CBS News"

Laws like this hit extremely close to home for Weir. Shortly after his sixth place finish at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Weir married his Russian-American husband.

"While I may not be the average, normal person living 9 to 5 and doing my work and going home and having a relationship, I’m normal,” he said. “I’m as normal as anybody as I know. My relationship is as strong and as healthy as anybody that I know. And I live a life of integrity and success and strength. And if I’m illegal, you should be illegal as well.” ~CBS News"

The Russian government has not said for sure if they will prosecute gay Olympic athletes or tourists in attendance at the games, but the International Olympic Committee says that it has assurances in place that they will not be targeted.

However, in the Wall Street Journal, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko is quoted as saying that gay athletes would not be barred from the games, but anyone who “who goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize” will be held accountable for their actions.

Violators of the law could face fines and even up to 15 days in jail.