Controversy is swirling around the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia -- scheduled to start six months from today -- due to a shocking and barbaric crackdown against the basic rights and freedoms of that country's LGBT community.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a draconian law that labels any public acknowledgement of the LGBT community as "gay propaganda." It is now a crime in Russia to advocate for LGBT equality, publicly say that gay relationships are equal to non-gay ones, organize an LGBT pride parade, or even simply hold a rainbow flag. Violators face jail time or fines of up to one million rubles.

To make matters worse, Putin signed a law last month banning the adoption of Russian children by any person living in a country that recognizes the relationships of same-sex couples; he is reportedly also considering a measure that would allow authorities to forcibly remove children from their homes if their parents are gay or lesbian. And Putin's regressive policies are fueling and legitimizing an alarming surge in hate-motivated beatings, torture, and murders of LGBT people across Russia.

The response from LGBT rights activists has been swift and unrelenting. Some have staged demonstrations at Russian embassies and consulates; many others, including activists Dan Savage and Cleve Jones, are boycotting Russian vodka and other exports. A petition on the White House website urges Secretary of State John Kerry to place the Russian politicians responsible for the "gay propaganda" law on the U.S. visa ban list. Pressure is being applied to the Games' corporate sponsors as well as NBC, which holds exclusive Olympic broadcast rights in the U.S. There are calls for the Games themselves to be boycotted, most notably from Harvey Fierstein, and actor George Takei argued yesterday that they should be moved to another host city entirely. Conversely, gay Olympians Johnny Weir, Blake Skjellerup, and Greg Louganis have come out against a boycott, saying that athletes should instead show up at the Games and express support for LGBT people.

But according to a shocking New York Times report by Jeré Longman, showing up and expressing support may not be a feasible option at all. That's because instead of punishing Russia for its brutal and indefensible assault on LGBT human rights, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may punish athletes who wear pro-equality pins, patches, or T-shirts.