Sochi's gay scene

The Black Sea city of Sochi gained a reputation for tolerance during Soviet times and has a marked liberal feel in comparison to many other parts of Russia, but not compared to Western European cities.

Many members of the local gay community have left, lured abroad by the gay scenes in cities such as Berlin or Barcelona.

Putin's increasingly conservative social agenda in his third term as president has boosted the role of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader has suggested homosexuality is one of Russia's biggest threats, and given more air time to anti-homosexual rhetoric on media outlets.

A new nationwide bill that outlaws gay "propaganda" gives little detail on what exactly is banned and gay activists fear the possible proximity of children could be used to ban gay rights rallies or even punish displays of affection.

Many say the "gay propaganda" law sends out a signal for people to single the gay community out for discrimination and in some cases violence.

High school student Vladislav Slavsky (pictured above) said he puts up with abuse on a regular basis.

He said other students at his school have thrown stones and spat at him and vigilantes once tried to "cure" him of his homosexuality by pouring urine and sewage on him.

"It's happened so often now that when I go to the police they just sneer and say they can't be my personal bodyguard," he said.

"Can you imagine waking up every day in the city that you were born, walking the same streets you have walked your whole life but where you still, after all this time, feel like a stranger?"