For six years, Reykjavic (the capital of Iceland) has been one of Moscow’s many sister cities, which meant the two municipalities shared information and policies with one another.
However, in light of Russia’s recent signing of a law that would make “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” illegal, The Reykjavic Grapevine is reporting that the city is making the move to officially cut ties with Moscow, making it the first of Moscow’s 57 sister cities to do so.
[Image via mydestination.com]
“In light of the developments that have taken place in recent years in matters of gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Russia, the Human Rights Office and the Mayor’s Office have entrusted the deputy mayor to propose amendments to the existing agreement between the two cities or terminate it all together following consultation with the Foreign Ministry,” read the minutes from the City Council meeting.
The termination of the relationship between Reykjavík and Moscow, while a big step that will require oversight by the Foreign Ministry, is a long time coming. Last August Jón Gnarr wrote a formal letter to his contemporaries in Moscow urging them to reconsider the city’s banning of Moscow’s gay pride parade.
Good for Reykjavic for taking a stand on this issue and all, but Jesus Christ, 57 sister cities? Would Moscow even notice?
The good news is that Moscow doesn’t have Canadian sister cities, so we don’t have to worry about giving Russia the “It’s not you, it’s me” talk. Unfortunately, Moscow still has plenty of high-profile sister cities, including London, Chicago and Tokyo. Hopefully, they’ll all join in and distance themselves from the gay-propaganda bill.
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