putin: "lgbt should win contests"    representatives of sexual minorities and their agenda are also part of society, and these people have the right to win cultural contests, but the main thing is that they should not be the only ones in focus, russian president vladimir putin said at the st. petersburg international cultural forum - forum of united cultures. "yes, indeed, we see that at various competitions in the western countries in order to win something you have to either tell, write, or show something about the life of sexual minorities, transgenders and transformers. names vary. but here's what i'd like to say. an unexpected thing. they too - these topics and these people - have a right to win, to show, and to narrate their stories, because they are also part of society. it's also part of peoples lives. but it is bad, if only they win contests. thats inappropriate," putin said. he added that "equality should be everywhere and in everything, including cultural contests." in this way he commented on serbian film director emir kusturicas remark that directors today need to address the issues of sexual minorities in order to win some film competitions.
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