Stoli CEO Issues Letter to LGBT Community After Boystown Backlash

After Stolichnaya Vodka was dropped by some of Chicago’s most prominent LGBT bars, the company’s CEO is coming out to say he’s against Russia’s recent string of anti-gay policies.

Sidetrack, Elixir Lounge, Halsted’s Bar and Grill, Hydrate Nightclub and Replay are just a handful of the Boystown bars to publically announce they’ll no longer carry the Russian vodka.

All five bars are referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recently signed law that bans “gay propaganda,” prohibiting positive talk or display of homosexuality. Violators would face fines, and foreigners could spend two weeks in jail followed by deportation. 

Days after the law was passed, Putin signed another that banned same-sex couples from adopting Russian Children. 

But now Stoli’s CEO Val Mandeleev released an open letter to the Advocate addressing the backlash in Chicago, as well as other locations like San Francisco and the UK. 

"The recent dreadful actions taken by the Russian Government limiting the rights of the LGBT community and the passionate reaction of the community have prompted me to write this letter to you,” the letter reads.

“I want to stress that Stoli firmly opposes such attitude and actions. Indeed, as a company that encourages transparency and fairness, we are upset and angry. Stolichnaya Vodka has always been, and continues to be, a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community. We also thank the community for having adopted Stoli as their vodka of preference."

But according to the Huffington Post, not everyone was convinced by Mandeleev’s letter. Activist group Queer Nation released an open letter shortly after, shooting down the comments and addressing horrific and violent actions by Russians against homosexuals.

"On the same day that SPI released its open letter to the Advocate, we learned that Russian thugs, emboldened by Russia’s anti-gay law, have taken to gay web sites to lure gay people to supposed encounters where they are viciously beaten," writes Queer Nation. "This is just the latest in a series of violent attacks against LGBT Russians and foreign LGBT nationals in Russia."

In the open letter, Mr. Mendeleev cited a few LGBT events where SPI promoted its Stolichnaya brand as evidence of the company’s support for our community. Mr. Mendeleev, marketing will not save LGBT lives."