The 2014 Winter Olympics open in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 7. Russia will attempt to present itself on the international stage as a modern, democratic country. The truth, however, is far less pretty.

In June, the Russian parliament overwhelmingly passed a law barring “propaganda” about “non-traditional sexual relations” to minors. It is now illegal to speak in any public forum about being gay or lesbian as a normal expression of sexuality and family life. The very dark side of forcing LGBT Russians back into the closet is as predictable as it is dangerous. In the months since the law went into effect, human rights and LGBT advocates in Russia have documented an uptick in workplace discrimination, hateful attacks in the media and violence against gay men and women.

Homophobia in Russia is a Jewish issue. From a religious perspective, the principle of kvod habriot, human dignity, is violated by the vicious silencing of LGBT Russians.

The view through the lens of history is just as sharp. Fomenting hatred of a minority group to shift attention from a troubled economy and repressive government is a long-wielded political tool. Such scapegoating of a minority group is dangerous. More than a century ago, it led to pogroms against Jews. It would be a tragedy if Russian history were to repeat itself with a different minority group in the role of victim.

Jews also know th