The mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov, told BBC News Monday that all this hubbub over anti-gay remarks doesn’t matter too much because absolutely no one in Sochi is gay.
“It’s not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live,” Pakhomov told the BBC. “We do not have them in our city.”
Reporter John Sweeney pressed the mayor on how he was certain.
“I’m not sure, but I don’t bloody know them,” Pakhomov replied.
Sochi is home to not one, but two gay clubs, a gay activist told the BBC.
In the same interview, Pakhomov said he was fine with gay people coming into town for the Olympics.
“Our hospitality will be extended to everyone who respects the laws of the Russian Federation and doesn’t impose their habits on others,” he said. “But yes, everyone is welcome.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin put a ban on the promotion of “nontraditional sexual relations” to children back in June. He has recently stated that homosexuals are welcome to come to Sochi, as long as they “just leave the children alone.”
The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7.
