Please immediately pass a resolution suspending the "sister-city" relationship between Long Beach and Sochi, Russia. As a "sister city" to the 2014 Winter Olympic Host City, we can and must send a message: We value and cherish our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents and will not tolerate discrimination against our LGBT brothers and sisters by a "sister city."
Why is this important?
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has said that foreign nationals, including Olympic athletes and spectators, will be subject to Russia's anti-gay laws during the 2014 Winter Olypics in Sochi, Russia. The city of Long Beach should send a clear message that violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens of Sochi, Russia (the rest of Russia, and international visitors) is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
