Sometimes I really take things in life for granted. I haven’t seen my (free) GP in five years, but thankfully have a clean bill of health. Im pretty indulgent when it comes to food as well, about 90% of my money is spent on delicious treats for me to gorge on daily. But one thing I will never take for granted is just how lucky I am to have been born into the incredible family I have, who support me and my lifestyle choices, while I see people around me suffer alone or in silence for fear of losing everyone around them because of who they are.

What if that was the reality for everyone though? I’m merely drawing attention to the possibility that I could have been born in a different part of the World, where i’d be punished for something that I can’t change about myself.

All around the World, people suffer every day against brutal anti-gay laws. In many African countries, including Commonwealth member states Uganda and Nigeria, homosexuality is punishable by death. I frequently read articles from parts of Eastern Europe, and even America, that use the safety net of religion to label LGBT people ‘abominations’ and ‘unnatural’.

Gay marriage is a fiercely hot topic at the moment, one that has received so much attention all over the World. But, for me, its more of a priority to get back to basics. It’s so important now more than ever, rather than push for the complete transformation of a centuries old tradition (which has been adapted in the past) we should campaign here in the UK and show support for other LGBTs across the World, that aren’t as God damn lucky as to have the basic right of the freedom to love another human- regardless of Gender.

Anti-gay laws are a very important topic for me as they are about to come to a pinnacle during the Winter Olympics in 2014. The host country, Russia, have rolled out laws that don’t outright ban homosexuality, but rather bans the expression of it. That means you can love a man if you’re a man, but no-one is allowed to know. These laws have been widely publicised by gay rights activists to attempt a reversal.

But so far the opposite effect is occurring; Russian society is building animosity to the gay community. Viral videos have leaked from gay vigilante groups that bludgeon young gay teens to near death after being lured to a false date by another fake gay man. Its an extremely dangerous environment to be in if you’re not welcome, and one that I can’t even possibly imagine. Yes, I received a bit of abuse when i was a youngster, and the UK is not perfect (look up Section 28 from the 80s) but nothing to this extent has ever been seen before.

I am a firm believer in not mixing sport with politics (yes a gay who knows about sport!) but the Sochi Winter olympics should be used by global brands and ambassadors to show that love matters more than the matter of who’s in love.

Already there are massive petitions online to pressure the Global sponsors to pull out in opposition of Russia’s laws, which would leave the country with a massive multi-billions dollar funding headache.

Other movements are also taking form by boycotting Russia’s biggest export-Vodka. Simply, don’t buy it, and cripple their economy. Well they don’t want gays in their country, so they don’t want the pink pound either,right?

It would be great if we ALL took part, odds are you have someone close to you who is LGBT or even Q. So, watch the videos, keep up to date, sign a petition, switch from Smirnoff to Absolut, and most importantly, lets all focus our eyes on Russia and hope it realises its medieval laws are abhorrent to inflict on any minority in our rapidly changing, 21st century World.

The most important symbol that could really help the movement gain momentum, and may lead to it influencing other countries, is if athletes take part in opposing Russia’s laws. I’m not asking for lewd sexual acts to be performed in order to assert your sexuality; but simple gestures, like demonstrated in the campaign video, may bring real significance to the message that Gay Activists simply wish to portray- that Love Always Wins.

Watch this beautiful 2-minute video, and please share it with your family and friends. You can also sign the petition here: www.allout.org/en/actions/russia-attacks