Madonna Will Fight Russia’s Orthodox Church for Gay rights
NO stranger to controversy, Madonna has hit the headlines again - this time over a looming showdown with Russia's Orthodox Church and a former KGB spy over gay rights.
The American pop star - who is due to perform in St. Petersburg in August - yesterday slammed a new law in the Russian city banning the "propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors," The Times reported.
Individuals in breach of the legislation could face a fine of up to £10,000 ($15,820), while organizations could be slapped with a £100,000 fine.
While the law currently only applies in St. Petersburg, Russia's Orthodox Church has called for a similar ban nationwide.
Madonna, 53, has labeled the ban - signed into law last month by St. Petersburg governor and former KGB agent Georgy Poltavchenko - a "ridiculous atrocity."
"I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed," Madonna said on her Facebook page Thursday, adding "I'm a freedom fighter."
"If people like Madonna [they should] boycott their concerts, particularly in St. Petersburg. That could have economic consequences and that is important, while declarations of support for gay rights at concerts mean nothing," head of St Petersburg's Gay Russia movement, Yuri Gavrikov, said.
While Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, prejudice against gays continue to be widespread.
In 2006, Madonna's first show in Moscow attracted a slew of criticism from Orthodox believers who protested against her usage of religious icons in her
Comments