Most of Russia’s LGBT community choose to hide their orientation for fear of discrimination. Only 1 per cent of the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are open with their sexuality.
The situation for young homosexuals has worsened thanks to a new, horrific trend. Gay men have been lured into meeting what they thought were friends on internet chatrooms, only to be beaten and humiliated on camera.
Athletes set for Sochi 2014 Winter Games
In a documentary by Britain’s Channel Four, one man says, "I was afraid they would shoot all of us. A hunting season has opened. And we are the hunted."
These on-camera shamings are used to expose gay men’s secret lives in what the perpetrators are calling "safaris".
But as the Olympic Games commence, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin attempts to quell fears of athletes and attendees who feel their lives may be in danger because of their sexuality.
“The Olympic Games will be held in full compliance with the Olympic charter, without any discrimination on any basis," he says.
So-called "anti-gay propaganda" laws, have sparked global outrage but the law’s co-author is unapologetic.
"Family is only mother and father. This is set by god. If you want to live in some evil schemes you can do this but don't tell us this is normal," says Vitaly Milonov.
Athlete Hudson Taylor says these laws are descriminatory, plain and simple.
"When we look at the Olympic charter and we look at the language of the principles of Olympism, they so clearly speak against discrimination."
Incidents such as a 14-year-old girl being threatened with prosecution for supporting her sacked gay teacher and same-sex dating website users warning other users of fines mean there’s little wonder "coming out" isn't an option for many Russians, like Vladimir Nosov.
"I would never do that. It's not acceptable in Russia. Their eyes would pop out of their head."
Andrei Tanichev, the owner of Club Mayachoc, Sochi’s only gay nightclub, offers this explanation:
“Our economy is doing badly and Putin’s ratings are low. His advisers told him to use a populist agenda. Putin is using anti-gay laws to win approval.”
The IOC’s president, Thomas Back, has warned athletes not to politicise the most expensive Olympics ever.
"Sport can only contribute to development and peace if it is not used as a stage for political dissent."
Although athletes may not be speaking up, Olympic sponsors are. Andy Sutherden of Hill and Knowlton Strategies says supporting these Winter Games may be a big risk for companies.
"[The] reputational risk for Sochi, I think, is huge, almost unprecedented. Not planning for the worst is a bit like getting behind the wheel of a car without a seatbelt because you're going to be utterly unprepared for unwanted headlines."
So far there has been more talk in Sochi about human rights than human achievement.
Protestors will be allowed in Sochi so long as they gather in a designated park - hidden under an expressway - 12 kilometres from the nearest venue.
The Olympic’s Russian hosts are hoping to pacify their detractors at least until the Games are over, but they will have a hard time keeping them quiet.
