Ikea cuts lesbian couple profile out of Russian edition of their home furnishing magazine. 

A spokeswoman for Ikea confirmed to Sweden’s Aftonbladet newspaper that the article had been changed over fears it could fall foul of Russia’s gay propaganda laws. “That’s the reason why Russia has another article,” she said. “We have two guiding principles in the communication we distribute from Ikea. The first is home interior design. The second is following the law.”

This story illustrates how the real purpose of the anti-propaganda law is not to “protect children” but to erase gay people, and it’s doing a great job. Read more at the UK Guardian:  http://bit.ly/1h51Dq8

Homophobia pays abroad: NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus said The Olympic Games advertising sales are “pacing extremely well.” He added, “This will be a very good moment (financially) for our company." http://bit.ly/I6GRYY Are you thrilled for...
Pop-up View Separately
Homophobia pays abroad: NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus said The Olympic Games advertising sales are “pacing extremely well.” He added, “This will be a very good moment (financially) for our company." http://bit.ly/I6GRYY

Are you thrilled for NBC?
A Round-up of links and quotes from news coverage of yesterday’s action on Wall Street. Towleroad: “ Advocates for LGBT rights don’t seem to be showing any signs of of slowing down in their efforts to highlight Russia’s disturbing recent turn towards...
Pop-up View Separately

A Round-up of links and quotes from news coverage of yesterday’s action on Wall Street.

Towleroad: 

Advocates for LGBT rights don’t seem to be showing any signs of of slowing down in their efforts to highlight Russia’s disturbing recent turn towards homophobia.  In fact, if anything, they’re getting more creative. 

BuzzFeed: 

Typically, when the NYSE hosts a country or company, they hang up their flag or logo outside of the exchange. Any unsuspecting person Monday, though, would have no idea the exchange was hosting Russian businessmen and government officials.

The New Civil Rights Movement: 

If Russian investors thought “Russia Day” in New York would be a walk in the park, they were wrong.

LGBTQNation:

“It’s outrageous that the Stock Exchange invited representatives from the Russian government to ring the closing bell,” said Alexis Danzig of Queer Nation member.

Moscow Times

The U.S. LGBT community, however, planned to use the event to increase awareness of a different type by staging a protest in front of the Federal Hall in Manhattan on the day of the event to accuse the Russian government of homophobic discrimination connected to the anti-gay propaganda law.

Russia Beyond the Headlines

L.G.B.T. Protest Shuts Down N.Y.S.E. Russia Day

[Actually, nothing got “shut down” but we appreciate RBTH’s exaggeration!]

RIA (Russian media)

An already besieged set of events intended to promote investment in the Russian economy has come under further pressure, as a US gay rights activist has launched a petition asking the New York Stock Exchange to cancel its upcoming Russia Day.

SVOBoda (Russian media, video in Russian and English). 

the front entrance to the stock exchange LGBT activists unfurled rainbow banners.  "Enough to invest in Russia? Putin, stop! We say" No! “- harmoniously chanted several dozen representatives of both American and Russian LGBT organizations.

Other mentions: Great photo gallery at New York CBS affiliate, NYSE’s house website via Financial Tribune, The News Daily, JoeMyGod, I love PolicyBear, NYU News (on alumni Bert Leatherman)