Don't Boycott Stoli, Please

In light of current human rights abuses against the LGBT community in Russia, Stolichnaya vodka wants us to know: Don't stop drinking our product!

Writes RIA Novosti: Stolichnaya, one of the most popular vodkas in the United States, came out swinging at the Russian government Thursday with a message of support for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community worldwide.

“Stolichnaya Premium Vodka stands strong & proud with the global LGBT community against the actions and beliefs of the Russian government,” the company said on its Facebook page.

Val Mendeleev, Stolichnaya’s chief executive office, issued an open letter to the LGBT community on Thursday, in which he said the “recent dreadful actions taken by the Russian Government limiting the rights of the LGBT community and the passionate reaction of the community” had prompted the letter.

Mendeleev said Stoli was “upset and angry,” and “has always been, and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community.”
 
He listed a number of programs and campaigns Stoli has launched in support of the LGBT community, and appeared to be backing away from the company’s long-established connection to Russia.

“The Russian government has no ownership interest or control over the Stoli brand that is privately owned by SPI Group, headquartered in Luxembourg in the heart of Western Europe,” he wrote, adding, “Stoli’s production process involves both Russia and Latvia. Stoli is made from Russian ingredients (wheat, rye and raw alcohol) blended with pure artesian well water at our historic distillery and bottling facility in Riga, Latvia.”

Stolichnaya has long been listed among the top-selling vodkas in the United States.

And Stoli has long targeted its gay clientele through openly gay-oriented ads.

So, it's all right, sweetie dahlings. Get your Stoli in whatever flavor, with whatever mixer and enjoy! Frankly, it's fabulous.

In further news from Russia, however, four Dutch tourists shooting a film about gay rights in Russia were arrested earlier this month outside the northern city of Murmansk, the first foreigners to be detained under the new law.  Meanwhile, actress Tilda Swinton gets into the act:

 The struggle continues.