Russian President Vladimir Putin Is 'Latently Gay,' Alleges Controversial New Biography

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is a sexless man who may be secretly gay. At least, that's what political analyst and notorious columnist Stanislav Belkovsky is alleging in a controversial new biography about the Russian president.

According to a recent Spiegel Online review of the book, reportedly entitled "Putin," the publication depicts the Russian as an extremely wealthy but "traumatized" and lonely person who shuns human contact.

In the book, Belkovsky, a long-time Putin opponent, is also said to speculate that "sex and a sex life are alien" to the politician, who the 42-year-old author says may be "latently gay."

The Kremlin has flatly denied the biography's allegations. "Belkovsky's remarks are lacking any basis, or as we say it in Russia: They are total rubbish," Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Spiegel Online.

Visit Spiegel Online to learn more about Belkovsky's new book.

Implications of homosexuality would understandably not sit well with the Russian leader and his government. In July, Harvey Fierstein wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times that Putin had "declared war on homosexuals" after he signed several anti-gay bills into law, including one that banned "homosexual propaganda."

Activists say these laws have spawned a widespread culture of violence and fear for LGBT Russians, some of whom have reportedly been subjected to horrific humiliation and torture.

Despite widespread international criticism, Putin has defended these anti-gay measures and has insisted that neither he nor his government is homophobic.

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Russian 'Gay Propaganda' Law Investigation By Olympic Committee Sought By Activists

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PARIS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Gay rights activists on Saturday asked International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach to launch an independent investigation into the implications of Russian law during next year's Sochi Games, they said.

Bach met Russian activists during his two-day visit to Paris, IOC and gay rights organisation All Out told Reuters.

"I can confirm a constructive meeting did take place," an IOC official said.

The activists, who had flown from Moscow after others failed to meet Bach in Sochi earlier this month, raised their concerns over the law passed in June that bans "gay propaganda" among minors.

The law has been denounced by critics and in the West as discriminatory and aimed at stifling dissent, prompting some calls for a boycott of the Games.

President Vladimir Putin, who has hoped to make the Games a showcase of modern Russia, last month said all people would be welcome in Sochi.

However, gay rights activists have reported a rise of violence toward their community and stressed on Saturday that the law was not compliant with the Olympic charter.

"During the meeting, the IOC was urged to launch an independent investigation on the legal implications of the anti gay laws ... as these laws are infringing the Olympic charter and notably the sixth principle of non discrimination," All Out said in statement.

A list of questions that could help steer the investigation was handed to Bach, they added, saying they were expecting the IOC to announce within days whether it would proceed.

Though they did not receive any assurance of an investigation, the activists praised Bach's willingness to listen to their point and urged him to take a stronger stance.

"It was a valuable conversation and we delivered first-hand evidence that a clear and strong action is needed," Anastasia Smirnova, who attended the meeting, told Reuters.

According to Smirnova, who represents several gay rights groups in Russia, the so-called "propaganda law" has stirred a fresh wave of violence toward gays.

"The environment is becoming increasingly hostile, with private meetings broken into, gay clubs attacked and various homophobic groups calling for violence against LGBT people," she said.

Gay activists in Russia and worldwide are hoping the Games will be more than a sporting event and will leave a social legacy.

"The Olympics are not simply a good way to draw attention. The Olympics have specific mission and goal of promoting non-discrimination and respect through sport," Smirnova said.

"Russia is the place where this mission is much needed, allowing the 2014 Games to leave a positive legacy."

(Reporting by Gregory Blachier; Additional reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Gene Cherry)

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Olympic Flame Sets Russian Torchbearer's Jacket On Fire In Latest Relay Mishap (VIDEO)

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