SACRAMENTO – The full state Senate today approved a resolution urging CalPERS and CalSTRS not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia. SR 18, authored by Sen. Mark Leno, passed with a 29-1 bipartisan vote.
SR 18 was introduced in response to Russia’s new laws that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. In addition to asking the state’s two largest pension funds to stop making direct future investments in Russia, the resolution calls on the International Olympic Committee to withdraw its position that expressing support for LGBT people and their rights is a violation of its rules and to seek a written guarantee from the Russian government that athletes and other visitors to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi will not be prosecuted under the anti-gay laws. SR 18 also urges other organizations holding large internationally televised events in Russia, including the Miss Universe Organization and its owner Donald Trump, to move their events to countries without such virulently anti-gay laws.
“I am pleased that my colleagues in the Senate today took a stand against the persecution of LGBT people in Russia,” said Sen. Leno, D-San Francisco. “Recent news reports confirm that violence against LGBT people has increased since these new anti-gay laws took effect, reinforcing our belief that the host country of the Winter Olympics aims to promote continued discrimination against its citizens and international visitors based solely on sexual orientation and gender identity. We must not tolerate, nor invest in, such blatant violations of human rights.”
June 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law that threatens to arrest, detain and imprison individuals or groups that publicly support LGBT equality or spread positive “propaganda” about “non-traditional lifestyles.” Punishable offenses could include public acknowledgment of one’s sexual orientation, displays of affection between same-sex partners, statements in support of LGBT rights and the use of symbols, such as rainbows, that are connected to the LGBT community. Russia also recently enacted a law that prohibits same-sex couples from adopting children.
Sen. Leno’s resolution is co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights and co-authored by 16 senators.
“Today’s vote sends a powerful message that California doesn’t support discrimination against our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters in Russia,” said John O’Connor, EQCA executive director. “By urging the state’s two largest pensions to divest from Russia we are taking bold action to stop dangerous anti-LGBT policies that are inconsistent with California values. We have a say in where we invest our dollars and we certainly shouldn’t invest in places that oppose equality. We thank Senator Leno and the coauthors for their leadership in passing this resolution.”
“What is happening is Russia is horrifying and contrary to the most basic principles of human rights and decency,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell. “We all must do everything we can to urge the Russian government to repeal these despicable laws. We are grateful for this resolution and the attention it gives to the sorry state of rights and freedom in Russia.”
SR 18 now becomes the official position of the Senate. It does not require Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature.
