Madonna could face a fine of 5,000 rubles if she defies St. Petersburg’s recently enacted gay propaganda law when she performs in the Russian city this summer, an official has warned.
Earlier this week, Madonna stated that she would defy the ban.
“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,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “I’m a freedom fighter.”
The law, which took effect earlier this month, criminalizes “public actions aimed at propaganda of pederasty, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors” and effectively outlaws Gay Pride parades and gay rights demonstrations.
“I don’t run away from adversity,” Madonna added. “I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.”
St. Petersburg Assemblymember Vitaly Milonov, the bill’s author, reportedly told the Interfax news agency that the gay icon would be punished if she violated the law.
“If Madonna or one of the organizers of the concert breaks the city law, they will be punished,” Milonov said, adding that he would personally attend Madonna’s performance to “monitor the moral content of the concert.”
The 5,000 rubles fine translates to roughly $170.
by On Top Magazine Staff
Source – On Top Magazine
