RE: Lua Workshop 2014 in Moscow?

[Thijs Schreijer <thijs@...>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: lua-l-bounces@lists.lua.org [mailto:lua-l-bounces@lists.lua.org] On
> Behalf Of Alexander Gladysh
> Sent: zondag 29 december 2013 10:16
> To: Lua mailing list
> Subject: Re: Lua Workshop 2014 in Moscow?
> 
> On Sun, Dec 29, 2013 at 10:55 AM, Paige DePol <lual@serfnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > On Dec 29, 2013, at 12:39 AM, Alexander Gladysh <agladysh@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
> In a previous post I explained my view regarding the law and fears of being
> arrested. Since we now discussing reactions of population in general, I
> would say that, again, if you ask for trouble in Russia, you will get it, as
> in any other country. If you mind your business, you'll be fine.
> 
> >> No witch hunts here.
> >
> > A simple Google search disproves that statement easily. There are many
> articles and, sadly, even videos of gay and transgender people being abused
> by people in your country while bystanders stand by and do nothing. I wonder
> if the news media in Russia is simply not reporting these stories?
> >
> > These are not isolated incidences, there are groups of people and
> individuals who, bolstered by the anti-gay laws, are deciding that anyone
> who is gay, or even suspected of being gay, is deserving of their wrath.
> 
> I will not comment on these statements on-list — it is off-topic here —
> besides repeating that persons doing their research (including "simple
> google searches") on a politicized topic like that are advised to use their
> heads and think by themselves.
> 
> > I wish you well and hope your Workshop is a success, however, I would
> advise serious caution for anyone travelling to Russia at this time.
> Especially if you are gay, transgendered, or otherwise not fitting a
> "traditional" role.
> >
> > ~pmd~
> >
> > PS: I am sorry if this is off-topic as it does not directly pertain to
> Lua. However, I really would not like to see anyone get hurt attending a
> workshop in a country that may be dangerous to them.
> 
> All I can say is that if I was thinking along these lines as you, I would
> skip Toulouse Workshop myself, given recent events in France.
> 
> Alexander.

Have side by Alexander here...

With last years workshop in the US there also were concerns because of a case of someone being detained at an airport because he once downloaded some music somewhere (didn't look it up, but was something along those lines). 

I think (no experience) Russia is safe to travel, as long as you inform yourself properly before going there. And that should be the case of any traveler going anywhere; check the local customs and keep yourself out of trouble. (I didn't inform myself well enough about speed checks in France, so I got fined... my bad)

Even here in the Netherlands someone gay gets beat up once in a while (disgusting, but it happens). So that makes a list of Netherlands, France, Russia and the US as non-possible locations for the next Lua workshop. Maybe no more workshop at all, as the world seems to be a dangerous place...

Thijs