Singer Madonna has vowed to defend gays and lesbians during a
concert in the Russian capital city of St. Petersburg.
The MDNA star has promised to make the stand against local
lawmakers after they implemented a bill which prohibits the
so-called promotion of same-sex relationships.
"I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay
community, to support the gay community and to give strength and
inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed," she wrote on her
Facebook page on Wednesday.
"I don't run away from adversity. I will speak during my show
about this ridiculous atrocity."
The assertion comes after fans threatened to protest outside the
show on 9 August - and just 48 hours after a New York Times
journalist blog called for a boycott of St. Petersburg -
specifically referencing Madonna.
The controversial legislation - which has been heavily
campaigned against by LGBT activists - will see people fined up to
$16,000 and organisations up to $16,000 for the "promotion" of
homosexuality among minors.
It would also put a blanket ban on gay Pride events, which have
been a contentious issue in recent years.
The law also restricts discussion about lesbian, bisexual and
transgender issues.
The legislation, which has been forced through without any
public discussion and has no scientific or medical grounding, has
been slammed for contributing directly to intolerance.
