Because that’s actually a thing that can happen, getting sued for supporting gay rights. Specifically, it’s illegal to “promote homosexuality to minors” in Russia, which is wear this lawsuit against Madonna was filed. And that’s why Madonna got in trouble for daring to hand out pink armbands at a concert in St. Petersburg and then later asking her audience to raise their hands in support of the gay community. Because there were children there. And she didn’t think of the children.
From CBS News:
Madonna continues to spark all sorts of controversy in Russia. Some Russian activists have sued the pop star for millions of dollars, claiming they were offended by her support for gay rights during a recent concert in St. Petersburg.Anti-gay sentiment is strong in Russia. In St. Petersburg, a law passed in February makes it illegal to promote homosexuality to minors, and the author of that law has pointed to the presence of children as young as 12 at Madonna’s concert on Aug. 9.
Russian news agencies quote Alexander Pochuyev, a lawyer representing the nine activists, as saying the suit was filed Friday against Madonna, the organizer of her concert, and the hall where it was held, asking for damages totaling 333 million rubles, or nearly $10.5 million.
Responding to criticism that the plaintiffs were stuck in the Middle Ages, the lawyer said they were using civilized, modern methods to defend their rights. “No one is burning anyone at the stake or carrying out an Inquisition,” Pochuyev was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying. “Modern civilization requires tolerance and respect for different values.”
The complaint includes a video taken at the concert showing Madonna stomping on an Orthodox cross and asking fans to raise their hands to show the pink armbands in support of gays and lesbians that were distributed among the audience, the new agency reported.
Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, did not immediately respond to emails asking for the singer’s reaction to the lawsuit.
Look, Madonna is sort of a crazy, insufferable bitch, but I hope we’re all on Madonna’s side in this case. I mean, I can see where people would get upset over the stomping of a cross, but it seems like the real issue here is the fact that Madonna simply asked her fans to show support of the gay community. And not even with fire or screaming or anything remotely scary: with pink armbands. Would that sort of thing really damage minors all that much?