Actor George Takei has signed a petition requesting to move the 2014 Winter Olympics away from Russia.
The Star Trek star signed the online petition, posted by Equality For All to the Olympics Committee president Jacques Rogge, requesting to move the Winter Olympics away from Sochi due to its anti-gay legislation, MSNBC reports. Vancouver, Canada, was the first choice nomination since the facilities are still new after they hosted the last Winter Games in 2010.
The law that has caused the most controversy in connection with the Olympics is that authorities can arrest tourist and foreign nationals who are gay or pro-gay for up to 14 days.
According to UK Huffington Post, while the IOC stated LGBT supports and athletes would be safe, lawmaker Vitaly Milonov says the law will not be suspended. Although LGBT athletes are allowed to participate in the Games, if they go out into the street and are open about their sexuality, they will be arrested, along with the possibility of harassment.
“Discrimination in any form is a blight upon the Winter Olympics and it must not be tolerated,” Takei wrote in his blog.
Since Monday, the petition reached over 80,000 signatures, but its goal is 150,000.