Russian politicians' 'selective amnesia' over Sochi's gay clubs

The Mayak is the biggest of two gay clubs in Sochi, and thanks to the Winter Olympics, business will be soon booming, but Russian politicians such as Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov deny having any gay citizens in the scenic city.

To reach the Mayak club one has to walk down a narrow alley and press a buzzer beside the brown door of a single-storey building, set back from Sochi's Black Sea promenade.

The club's decor is typical gay chic and the tables are laid with gold sequined tablecloths, News.com.au reports.

Bartender Nikita Berezutoky said that everyone is welcome-gays, naturals, lesbians, and added that tomorrow the Mayor of Vancouver is coming.

He said the club never had any trouble from police, people can walk down the street holding hands, no one cares.

Such claims fly in the face of international gay rights activists who are using the Sochi Olympics to protest against Russian president Vladimir Putin's laws banning gay material being distributed to minors.