Thomas Roberts Hosting Moscow Miss Universe Despite Russia's Gay Ban: "I Go To Prove There’s Hope."
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Thomas Roberts. Photo: GLAAD[/caption]
Thomas Roberts came out publicly in 2006 and continues to be a shining star over at MSNBC. But his announcement that he'll be hosting the Miss Universe contest in Moscow next month has shocked and dismayed many.
Since the passage of gay-propaganda laws in Russia and an increase in homophobic violence there, other celebrities have been steering clear of the Evil Empire. Andy Cohen, onetime emcee of Miss Universe, said there's no way he'd host it Russia.
“Their discriminatory policies make it unsafe for the gays who live there and gays coming to work or visit, he told former co-host Giuliana Rancic. "The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested. [I] didn’t feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia.”
But in a first person essay on MSNBC.com, Roberts explained he didn't just take the gig, he begged for it—because it is "a huge, visible opportunity for LGBT people. Everywhere."
Roberts says we do LGBT people in Russia "no favors by turning away now" and that his mission is "to prove there’s hope" to people who may never have seen a gay role model.
Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else.
All kids—Russian, American or otherwise—need hope. I am a happy, healthy, gainfully employed, educated and married man. And yes, I am gay. These new Russian laws won’t stop Russians from being born LGBT and growing up to identify as such. Russia’s treatment of its LGBT citizens is unacceptable, unrealistic and only promotes homophobia and intolerance for a community that does and will continue to exist.
The Miss Universe Organization issued a statement in August calling Russia's anti-LGBT statutes “diametrically opposed to the core values” of Miss Universe. The organization also made news in 2012 when it decided trans women could compete in the global beauty pageant.
So what do you think: Is this a chance to raise awareness in Russia or should we not allow a homophobic regime to profit off the work and talent of LGBT people?
