Queer Voicesrussia gay lawsrussia gay propagandaRussia Gay Propaganda Law

Elton John Vows To Raise Gay Rights Issues At Russian Concert

Elton John Has Gay Plans For Russia
Agence France Presse
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President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that Russia does not discriminate against gays and that millions of Russians love pop icon Elton John "despite his orientation", as he sought to defuse calls from gay rights activists to boycott the Winter Olympics.

In an interview with foreign journalists less than three weeks before the opening of the Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin reiterated that Russia would welcome all athletes and visitors, regardless of their sexuality.

"People have different sexual orientation. We will welcome all athletes and all guests of the Olympics," he said.

By way of example, he praised John, who is openly gay, as "an outstanding person (and) outstanding musician".

"Millions of our people sincerely love him despite his orientation," Putin said.

Gay rights activists have criticised the Russian strongman for a recent law banning the dissemination of so-called "gay propaganda" to minors.

John himself spoke out against the law during a sold-out Moscow concert last month.

"I am deeply saddened and shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the (homosexual) community here in Russia," he said.

"In my opinion, it is inhumane and it is isolating. Harmony is what makes a happy family and a strong society."

The 66-year-old Briton has a long history of performances in Russia, beginning with a groundbreaking concert in 1979 that made him a household name in the then-Soviet Union.

He ignored calls to cancel his December concerts in the wake of the "gay propaganda" law, saying Russia's gays and lesbians would feel abandoned if big-name performers did not come for visits and offer them support.

Putin said Sunday the law "does not offend anyone".

"People with non-traditional sexual orientation cannot feel like they are second-rate because they are in no way discriminated against: not professionally, not career-wise, not when it comes to recognition by society," he said.

The Russian strongman also downplayed planned no-shows at the Olympics by Western leaders including US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande.

Copyright (2014) AFP. All rights reserved.

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Before You Go

Stars Sound Off On Russia's Anti-Gay Law
Mikhail Baryshnikov(01 of11)
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The Russian dance legend and actor ("Sex and the City") sounded off on the controversial legislation in an exclusive statement for the No More Fear Foundation, an international LGBT advocacy organization. "My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues and friends and any discrimination and persecution of gay people is unacceptable," Baryshnikov, 65, said. "Equal treatment of people is a basic right and it is sad that we still have to even speak about this in [the] 21st century."Read the full story here. (credit:AP)
Tilda Swinton (02 of11)
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A photograph of the Academy Award-winning actress defending Russia's beleaguered lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community by holding a rainbow flag in front of Moscow's Kremlin was released with the following statement via her spokesperson: "In solidarity. From Russia with love."Read the full story here. (credit:Twitter)
Seth Wescott (03 of11)
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"The human rights stuff that's going on, there's a potential for it to be an incredibly negatively-overshadowed Olympics," the two-time gold medal winning snowboarder told the Associated Press. Of his gay friends in snowboarding, he noted, "They're wonderful human beings, and I think for them to be discriminated against is a crime."Read the full story here. (credit:Getty Images)
Madonna (04 of11)
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The Material Girl sparked controversy when she spoke out in defense of Russia's LGBT community during a St. Petersburg stop on her MDNA World Tour last year. Performing in black lingerie with the words "No Fear" scrawled on her bare back, Madonna urged the audience -- most wearing pink wrist bands distributed at the door -- to "show your love and appreciation to the gay community.""We want to fight for the right to be free," she said at the time, Reuters reported. Click here for the full story. (credit:Getty Images)
Johnny Weir (05 of11)
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The U.S. figure skater (pictured on right, with husband Victor Voronov) has spoken out against a planned boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, warning that those hurt most would be the athletes who have "dedicated their lives to possibly having their lone life-changing moment.""The Olympics are not a political statement, they are a place to let the world shine in peace and let them marvel at their youthful talents," he wrote. "I respect the LGBT community full heartedly, but I implore the world not to boycott the Olympic Games because of Russia’s stance on LGBT rights or lack thereof."Click here for the full story. CORRECTION: The original version of this slideshow misidentified Johnny Weir as Victor Voronov. (credit:Getty Images)
Lady Gaga (06 of11)
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"The Russian government is criminal," the Mother Monster tweeted in August. "Oppression will be met with revolution. Russian LGBTs you are not alone. We will fight for your freedom."She also noted: "Sending bravery to LGBTs in Russia. The rise in government abuse is archaic. Hosing teenagers with pepper spray? Beatings? Mother Russia?"Click here for the full story. (credit:Getty Images)
Elton John (07 of11)
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In spite of Russia's anti-gay legislation, the Rocket Man has vowed not to cancel his forthcoming Moscow performance. "As a gay man, I can’t leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them," he said. "I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’ve got to go."Read the full story here. (credit:Getty Images)
Cher(08 of11)
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The legendary singer-actress said she turned down the chance to perform at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi because of Russia's anti-gay law. "I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show," Cher told Maclean's writer Elio Iannacci. "I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there."Click here for the full story. (credit:AP)
Blake Skjellerup(09 of11)
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The New Zealand speed skater, who is openly gay, told HuffPost Live's Josh Zepps that a boycott would hurt the athletes themselves more than Russia."I don't support a boycott at all," he said. "I believe the greatest way to bring about change is to have a presence. Being present in Sochi is going to be greater for the cause than not being there at all."Click here for the full story. (credit:Getty Images)
Nick Symmonds(10 of11)
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After winning a silver medal at the World Track & Field Championships in Moscow on Aug. 13, the American middle distance runner openly dedicated the victory to his gay and lesbian friends in his home country.The act reportedly makes Symmonds the first athlete to critique and oppose Russia's anti-gay legislation while in Russia.Click here for the full story. (credit:AP)
Greg Louganis(11 of11)
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The Olympic diving champion rejected the possibility of a boycott against the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia in a Policymic editorial. "Boycotting sends the wrong message and will only harm the hard-working athletes set to compete in the 2014 Olympics, not the Russian government itself," he wrote. "I know from personal experience. My first Olympics I won Silver at age 16, and then in 1980, at the height of my diving career, President Jimmy Carter opted to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow as a method of protesting the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. The toll on fellow athletes and me was devastating."Click here for the full story. (credit:AP)
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