Long Beach gay bars participate in vodka protest against Russia


Some Long Beach bars are taking Russian vodkas off their shelves as a part of a protest against the Russian government, which is being carried out across the country in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The protest is in opposition to anti-gay laws recently signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which bans "propaganda" in support of "nontraditional sexual relations."

"We're protesting because of human rights," said Michael Barber, owner of Paradise Bar and Restaurant and the Falcon on Broadway in Long Beach. "The feeling is that if a lot of businesses stopped using products from Russia, it would make the government change their views."

Brands such as Russian Standard and Stolichnaya are just two of the vodkas being boycotted. Officials from Stolichnaya issued a statement saying the company "has always been and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community," and insisted it has no ties to the Russian government.

Stolichnaya is made with Russian ingredients, but the parent company, SPI Group, is based in Luxembourg. West Hollywood Councilman John Duran does not think that their statement is enough to diminish the importance of the boycott.

"Saying that you as a corporation are a friend to the gay community just isn't enough when lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender people in Russia are fighting for their lives," he said.

Some bar owners are not participating in the boycott because they do not agree with this strategy, saying that boycotting a product will not affect the actions of the government or police.

Michael Romero, owner of The Crest on Cherry Avenue in Long Beach, worries that the boycott will affect gay individuals and families that make a living off of importing, selling and making Russian vodka, saying that the diminishing sales will make a negative impact on their lives. His bar will not be participating in the boycott.

"I don't think boycotting products will help the people in Russia," Romero said. "This is a major boycott that should have a little more depth and thought on what is going on"?Let's think a little bit more before we jump on a boycott that really isn't going to have substantial effect on what the government is going to do."

City News Service contributed to this report.