"I n the second episode of the hit TV series Heated Rivalry, its two lead characters compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. And while, at this point in the show, closeted pro hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are still in the early stages of their heated affair, the topic of LGBTQ2S+ inclusion naturally comes up when Hollander and some American hockey players discuss going to watch a friend compete in the men's figure skating program."
""Brave for a dude to show up to a place like this and be like 'hey, here's me.' Russia is not safe for folks like that," one of the Americans says, assuming the friend in question is gay and hinting at the dangers faced by queer and trans athletes who competed in Sochi. The real-life 2014 Sochi Olympics saw calls for boycotts in response to Russia's restrictive anti-LGBTQ2S+ policies, including its 2013 ban on the distribution of " propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" among minors."
Two lead characters in Heated Rivalry appear at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where closeted pro hockey players encounter questions of LGBTQ2S+ inclusion while considering attending a friend's men's figure skating program. American teammates comment that openly queer presence in Russia is dangerous, reflecting real-world concerns. The 2014 Sochi Games prompted boycott calls after Russia's 2013 ban on distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" to minors, though many openly queer athletes still competed. Activists have urged boycotts of upcoming events over U.S. immigration and trans rights policies. Skate Canada announced it will not host events in Alberta because of provincial transgender restrictions.
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