Putin friend told of being gay youth in Soviet town . Doctor told him to keep it quiet . But she says in modern the Russian Federation being gay did not mean being closeted until new law passed . Putin bans promoting gay relationships ; this flouts charter of the Olympic Charter 's , she says . Lokshina : It seems that the Kremlin underestimated the prominence of the international LGBT rights movement and the damage the law would do to Russia 's image , especially with the Sochi Olympics just months away , the host country being so much in the spotlight . Tanya Lokshina 's denies discrimination , but message to LGBT people is clear .
Putin friend told of being gay youth in Soviet town . Doctor told him to keep it quiet . But she says in modern the Russian Federation being gay did not mean being closeted until new law passed . Putin bans promoting gay relationships ; this flouts charter of the Olympic Charter 's , she says . Lokshina : Tanya Lokshina 's denies discrimination , but message to LGBT people is clear .