Provide security for homosexual athletes in Russia
Statement by Tanzsport Deutschland (Dancesport Germany)
Because of the demonstration planend to be held in Berlin by the
initiative "Enough is Enough - Open your mouth" against the
legislation in Russia, directed particularly against homosexuals,
Tanzsport Deutschland (Dancesport Germany) states the following:
The German Dance Sport Association (DTV) condemns all forms
of discrimination against sexual identity. Like the German Olympic
Sports Confederation (DOSB), DTV believes that sport is a human
right and all people must have access to sport - regardless of
their origin, sexual orientation or religion. This applies not only
to the Olympic Games, but also for all national and international
sports events and includes athletes, officials, spectators and
journalists. DTV welcomes and supports all efforts and initiatives
of governmental and non-governmental bodies who are working
peacefully to enforce these principles and respect for people of
different sexual identity.
A number of athletes and coaches in DTV have expressed their
concern to be suspended or even to take on a climate of violence
due to the new legislation while participating in tournaments or
training activities in Russia because of their homosexuality.
Dancesport Germany takes these concerns very seriously. In regard
to various international dance sport events that take place in the
coming months in Russia, the President of the DTV, Franz Allert,
has already contacted the Vice President of the Russian Dance Sport
Federation, the President of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)
and the Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid
at the German Federal Foreign Office in personal conversations and
given these concerns. The DTV expects a clear positioning of the
WDSF in this context.
Gay sportswomen and sportsmen must not be discriminated
against, even feel discriminated against or be limited in their
development opportunities. Diversity, respect and acceptance form
an important value basis, for which the German Dancesport campaigns
nationally and internationally.
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