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Podcasts Take Two
LA gay bars boycott Stoli, other Russian vodka brands
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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Jul 29, 2013
Listen • 5:28
LA gay bars boycott Stoli, other Russian vodka brands
Gay pride events there have been scarred with violence and last month the country passed a law where tourists or foreigners could be arrested for being perceived as gay or "pro-gay." In response, gay columnist Dan Savage called for a nation-wide boycott of Stoli and other Russian vodkas.
Atmosphere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2012 After-Party For Trishna, Hosted By Stolichnaya Vodka, At Hotel Chantelle on April 27, 2012 in New York City.
Atmosphere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2012 After-Party For Trishna, Hosted By Stolichnaya Vodka, At Hotel Chantelle on April 27, 2012 in New York City.
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Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Fe
)

Gay pride events there have been scarred with violence and last month the country passed a law where tourists or foreigners could be arrested for being perceived as gay or "pro-gay." In response, gay columnist Dan Savage called for a nation-wide boycott of Stoli and other Russian vodkas.

When the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and California's Prop 8, LGBT people in the US scored a victory for gay rights, but activists are now taking the fight to Russia.

Gay pride events there have been scarred with violence and last month the country passed a law where tourists or foreigners could be arrested for being perceived as gay or "pro-gay."

In response, gay columnist Dan Savage called for a nation-wide boycott of Stoli and other Russian vodkas. This weekend several bars in West Hollywood got into the act.

RELATED: Gay bars in West Hollywood boycott Russian vodka over anti-gay laws

Even though Stoli is a business, not a government that can enact policy, WeHo councilman John Duran told us why he supported the move by his city's businesses.



"I mean I think that a boycott has two primary reasons, one of which is to target and protest where injustice is occurring, but also to raise public awareness."

For look at how well boycotts work, and the economic power of LGBT people in the US, we're joined by Lee Badgett. professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and research director at UCLA's Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy.

Stoli Responds To The Attempted Boycott Of Russian Vodka