Today starts the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. For many, the Olympics signifies a celebration of nations coming together in the spirit of competition and having pride in their own countries and athletes performing in the events. This Olympics for others however, has been overshadowed by the laws Putin passed in Russia criminalizing homosexuality.

Brutal footage has been released on the internet of LGTBQI youth being tortured and others of protesters being assaulted under this law. Not only has Putin made homosexuality illegal in Russia, but he has gone as far to say that tourists and athletes themselves will be held to Russian law while visiting the country. Many have argued that Putin's discriminatory actions are a great human rights violation and that the Olympics should be protested and moved from Sochi. A nation criminalizing humans and taking away liberties should not benefit from the lucrative event that is the Olympics.

At first, I was one of the vocal protesters condemning Putin and advocating for a new winter Olympics location. Aside from the monetary gain, the lives of tourists and athletes could be at risk and because of this, nations valuing diversity and accepting all walks of life needed to ensure the safety and protection for those that would not receive these decencies traveling abroad to Russia. I even took it as far to argue that Putin should be sent a message that his bigoted policies would not be tolerated and as a result, he and his country would not benefit from intolerance.

Then this article, written by a gay athlete heading to Russia, was released on FaceBook and she pleaded that we stop protesting the Sochi Olympics and instead shift our focus on supporting the athletes participating. She argued that if the Olympics were protested it wouldn't be Russia that suffered. Rather, it would be the athletes. This woman astutely pointed out that she and other athletes were aware of the conditions in Russia but were still willing to travel and compete. Yes what is happening in Russia is horrible and should not be condoned, but hundreds of athletes have been training for years to get to where they are today and we should be focusing on and supporting them. Protesting Russia would inevitably be protesting them.

Needless to say this article got me thinking. If a gay athlete herself is willing to represent our country and travel to an unsafe country with hostile laws, well then shouldn't I support her? I then began to think of the Civil Rights movement that occurred and is continuing to occur in my own country and it occurred to me that change has to come from within. Change in this country resulted from the student sit-ins to the freedom rides, to the marches and the protests. Thousands of courageous individuals gave the bodies and lives in order to create change in this country.

Do I think that participating gay athletes will incite change in Russia? No. But because these individuals are heading to Russia despite Putin's laws at the very least shows Putin that he can not intimidate everyone. Similar to what occurred during the Civil Rights movement, many individuals stood up, refusing to be bullied or segregated anymore. By not participating in the Sochi Olympics, Putin would win. His bigoted, discriminatory laws would win.

My girlfriend and I have argued over a much lesser situation, but has similar undertones. Four summers ago, my no girlfriend and a bunch of friends went to a baseball game at a major league field. Two of our friends were a couple and they were being affectionate, nothing offensive or inappropriate for public, but the group was ultimately asked to leave because 'the venue was a family establishment.' Since I heard of this story, I have flat out refused to attend any event at this venue because my money would not support bigotry.

Although my girlfriend agrees with me to an extent, she reminds me that change needs to come from within and that if we stop going to these games, well then we let them win. They don't want our kind there anyway so if we stop going, then they will be happy. If we really want to make change happen, then we need to challenge the status quo by being ourselves and this change is most effective when it comes from within.

Exposure and presence inspires courage and courage inspires strength. Even though I personally do not know what Putin's motives and goals are, I am suspicious that he wants to suppress homosexuality into non-existence. If openly out athletes participate in the Sochi Olympics, then this issue of suppression continues to be made an issue.

Similarly, many activists and actors in this country have spoken out against Russia's policies and just the other day AT&T became the first major company to condemn Putin.Yes safety and protection are more important than exposure, but exposure is very important. If anything does happen to gay tourists and athletes, other nations, human rights groups and even the UN will be all over Putin and Russia, pressuring for change.

My parents have always reminded me that change takes time and when it comes to human rights violations, this fact can be hard to swallow. There is still a part of me that does not want to watch the Olympics as an act of protest against Putin. Instead of focusing on Putin however, I am going to focus on the brave athletes who are choosing to risk their safety in order to pursue their dreams and maybe even equality. I cannot speak for the athletes or assume that they are participating in the games to insight change. This is not what's important. What is important is that they are participating. No I do not personally know any of the participants but they are inherently a part of my community and because of this, I stand with them.

Mia