Lady Gaga is speaking out against Russia and its government — again. This time, however, she’s not standing up for music collective Pussy Riot and their imprisonment, but for an issue closer to home: LGBT rights and a new national law that could result in charges against Mother Monster for supporting those rights on stage in Mother Russia.
Monday (August 5) Gaga took to Facebook to post the following message of support for LGBT youth in Russia: “Sending bravery to LGBTs in Russia. The rise in government abuse is archaic. Hosing teenagers with pepper spray? Beatings? Mother Russia? The Russian government is criminal. Oppression will be met with revolution. Russian LGBTs you are not alone. We will fight for your freedom. Why didn’t you arrest me when you had the chance, Russia? Because you didn’t want answer to the world?”
In June, Russia passed a federal law banning “homosexual propaganda” among minors — a law designed to protect the youth of the country from what it considers harmful influences. Those who speak openly about LGBT issues among youths — even those from other countries — face fines, jail time and deportation.
Gaga and Madonna are currently being investigated for coming to Russia last year on the wrong visas. Visas aside, reports speculate that the real issue with Gaga and Madonna’s appearances in Russia is that they both spoke openly about gay rights onstage. Vitaly Milonov, the politician who wrote St. Petersburg’s law banning gay propaganda, is leading the efforts to charge the singers.
“Tonight, this is my house Russia. You can be gay in my house,” Lady Gaga said during her show.
The federal law has sparked a lot of opposition in recent weeks — including a boycott of Russian vodka — with Gaga’s being the most recent and, perhaps, the most powerful. The Facebook post has received more than 50,000 likes, with tweets bearing the same message receiving similar traction on the social network.
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