­No fear: Madonna stands up for gay rights in St. Petersburg

Get short URL

Published time: August 10, 2012 12:10
Edited time: August 10, 2012 16:11

Never afraid to back away from controversy, pop diva Madonna spoke up for gay rights and against a local law which forbids homosexual ‘propaganda’, during her concert in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

Madonna called on the audience to "show your love and appreciation to the gay community".

Words "No Fear" were seen written on the singer’s back as she performed on the stage in black lingerie.

"Do we live in fear?" Madonna asked the crowd of fans at the show. "No!" was the answer.

Madonna kept her promise to stand up for gay rights in St. Petersburg and the law adopted by the city’s government in March. The law imposes fines for “pernicious homosexual propaganda” that affects “the moral and spiritual development of minors”.

And the singer also made sure the audience knew she was supporting the members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot. Madonna rushed to defend the three girls, who may be jailed for three years for their anti-Putin "punk prayer" at Moscow’s main cathedral.

A gay rights activist holds a board before a concert of Madonna in St. Petersburg August 9, 2012 (RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev)

Madonna’s rush to defend the gay community in Russia might result in a legal case as the author of the controversial law, United Russia party member Vitaly Milonov plans to sue the singer or the concert organizers for homosexual propaganda.

According to Interfax, Milonov claims that the American singer broke the law during her show in St. Petersburg.

"The concert was filmed, minors were there 12 year-old children were there,” Milonov told Interfax.

Pink bracelets were distributed among the audience for those willing to show support for the gay community during Madonna’s show in St. Petersburg.
The head of company that brought Madonna to St. Petersburg said that the organizers advised under-18s not to attend the show.

A gay rights activist speaks with a police officer as she holds a poster reading " I don't care about Madonna and her support!" near a concert hall before the concert of Madonna in St. Petersburg on August 9, 2012 (RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev)