What is Missing from the Olympics; Inclusion, Equality, Justice

    NEW YORK, NY, November 20, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- LoveAndPride.com - the original LGBT-focused jewelry line, fundraising mechanism and curated e-commerce portal - is reaching out to community members and supporters, and small businesses, nationwide to post our Missing Link sign (as seen above and available on our website) and thereby stand with them and Immigration Equality in opposition to the hateful policies being practiced towards LGBT persons in Russia. Our goal is to have a thousand small businesses, local media outlets, and/or community groups signed up via our landing site and Facebook pages to stand with us in spirit outside the Russian embassy in NY on the first day of the Olympics.

A few months ago Russia enacted laws criminalizing activities, which "promote the homosexual lifestyle." Since then public beatings and torture of persons suspected of being homosexual, as well as kidnappings and abductions, have become commonplace. There is a new law being considered which would allow the government to take away adopted children from parents suspected of being homosexual. LoveandPride.com creator Udi Behr could not stand idly by while this is happening and hatched the Missing Link campaign to raise awareness about this in the public eye.

"There are even LGBT persons here in NY who don't know what's going on over there... dumping vodka in the street isn't enough! We must do everything we can to raise awareness about these atrocious policies and acts going on right now in Russia. The Olympics is the world stage and the symbols are supposed to stand for inclusion... the laws and what they are allowing people to do to each other is not inclusive... it's hateful and the antithesis of what the Olympics stand for."
- Udi Behr

Partnering with Immigration Equality, through the campaign's landing site, people and businesses are invited to request signs, stickers and posters to help spread the word. Local media outlets and businesses are invited to participate however they see fit, posting signs in their windows or via tweeting, etc. All individuals who help sign up a local business will get $1 store credit for LoveandPride.com. All participating businesses will be recognized on our campaign page. Net proceeds from the purchase of our Missing Link pendant will go to aid The Russia Emergency Fund at Immigration Equality.

About LoveandPride.com: Love and Pride is the first of its kind - a premium designer online lifestyle destination for people who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance. We offer a curated collection of men's and women's fashion, design and gift items, beauty, and personal grooming products. Sometimes romantic, sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical...our products are always captivating. Join with us to create change, inspire acceptance and make a difference - Look Good, Do Good.

About Immigration Equality: Based in New York City and Washington D.C., Immigration Equality is the national leader in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV immigration rights. Through our LGBT Asylum Program, we represent more than 400 LGBT people fleeing Jamaica, Russia, Uganda and other countries every year. See more at: http://immigrationequality.org/

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