Postcard to Putin

Comment

Comment by Stephen Mead on October 22, 2013 at 6:19pm

If you are able to attend the Olympics please check out the Hand Holding Initiative:

http://holdhandsinsochi.tumblr.com/

Comment by Stephen Mead on October 4, 2013 at 4:49pm

As some of you may know I am not particularly a “social animal” and a complete wallflower when it comes to online Social Groups like Facebook. If the enclosed image “strikes a chord” with you however, I would appreciate it if you would consider posting it or passing it on. This would be very helpful especially if you have international friends via your online network(s).

My hope is that the more people who take an interest, (perhaps being inspired to make postcards of their own; even setting up a web page; “Postcards to Putin”), the more the message will be sent to Putin that even though he has a position of power, the consensus is that he fosters the abuse of human rights, and all of us who may not be in positions of power to do something about this, can still make a statement, an appeal to his conscience, that he is encouraging bad things to happen to others and, ultimately, doing wrong.

Since my initial posting of this image I have heard from a lovely person named Jessie G. over at Change.org. She provided me with the following helpful links:

http://loveletterstorussia.tumblr.com/

If you are on twitter we are @LoveLtrs2Russia

Change.org: https://www.change.org/petitions/love-letters-to-russia-send-a-post...

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/loveletterstorussia

Apparently, in addition to a petition she began, she has been working on an active website hoping to at least let the LGBT people of Russia know that others are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.

I don’t have an email address for Putin and like sending anything via regular mail (see below), I have a discouraging sense that the art/message would just get chucked.

My sentiment is that if we can make art and at least post it online so it is out on the World Wide Web where anyone can see it maybe that will bring some hope to the LGBT people of Russia (and elsewhere).

Here is President Putin’s mailing address should anyone like to write to him:

Mailing address:

Mr. Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation

23, Ilyinka Street,

103132, Moscow, Russia

As Jessie G. writes on her Change.org page, “it only takes a few minutes to send a postcard. Remember that Russia has very harsh penalties against GLBTQ “propaganda” and you should avoid using the names of your Russian friends and family so we do not cause them any additional hardship. Also, check your postage rates. It’s $1.10 to send a standard sized international postcard or letter from the U.S. “

Thank you,

Stephen