The St. Petersburg City Court upheld the rejection of an 333 million-ruble ($11 million) suit against Madonna for violating a local law banning homosexual 'propaganda' as lawmakers debate similar federal legislation.
The court in St. Petersburg, the second-biggest Russian city and the hometown of President Vladimir Putin, affirmed a Nov. 22 district court decision, said Daria Dedova, one of the suit’s plaintiffs, in a phone interview today. The court reduced the court fees for each plaintiff from 60,000 rubles ($2,000) to 7,500 rubles, according to a court spokesman.
'We don’t agree with the court’s decision and plan to appeal to Russia’s Supreme Court,' said Dedova. 'The State Duma is discussing legislation to prohibit anti-family propaganda on the national level and we are on the right path.'
Dedova is among nine city residents who filed the lawsuit against Louise Veronica Ciccone, Madonna’s real name, concert organizer PMI Corp. and the Peterburgsky Sports and Concert Complex, where the event took place.
They accused the defendants of violating cultural traditions and promulgating homosexuality during Madonna’s Aug. 9 concert. Gays and lesbians should be treated with dignity and tolerance, the pop singer said during the gig to about 10,000 concertgoers.
The law, signed on March 7 by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, bans lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 'propaganda.' Similar bills are already in force in 12 of the country’s 83 regions.
Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban such 'propaganda' on Jan. 25 in the first of three readings.
People found guilty of creating 'false perceptions of the social equality of traditional and nontraditional sexual relations' face fines of as much as 500,000 rubles, according to draft passed by a vote of majority of State Duma members.
Fines for violating the St. Petersburg law total 5,000 rubles ($156) for private individuals, 50,000 rubles for government officials and 500,000 rubles for organizations.
The court in St. Petersburg, the second-biggest Russian city and the hometown of President Vladimir Putin, affirmed a Nov. 22 district court decision, said Daria Dedova, one of the suit’s plaintiffs, in a phone interview today. The court reduced the court fees for each plaintiff from 60,000 rubles ($2,000) to 7,500 rubles, according to a court spokesman.
'We don’t agree with the court’s decision and plan to appeal to Russia’s Supreme Court,' said Dedova. 'The State Duma is discussing legislation to prohibit anti-family propaganda on the national level and we are on the right path.'
Dedova is among nine city residents who filed the lawsuit against Louise Veronica Ciccone, Madonna’s real name, concert organizer PMI Corp. and the Peterburgsky Sports and Concert Complex, where the event took place.
They accused the defendants of violating cultural traditions and promulgating homosexuality during Madonna’s Aug. 9 concert. Gays and lesbians should be treated with dignity and tolerance, the pop singer said during the gig to about 10,000 concertgoers.
The law, signed on March 7 by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, bans lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 'propaganda.' Similar bills are already in force in 12 of the country’s 83 regions.
Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban such 'propaganda' on Jan. 25 in the first of three readings.
People found guilty of creating 'false perceptions of the social equality of traditional and nontraditional sexual relations' face fines of as much as 500,000 rubles, according to draft passed by a vote of majority of State Duma members.
Fines for violating the St. Petersburg law total 5,000 rubles ($156) for private individuals, 50,000 rubles for government officials and 500,000 rubles for organizations.
From www.bloomberg.com
Madonna's real name is Madonna. Duh! Some people irritate me to no end when it comes to M.
Posted by: Konoha | Wednesday, 13 February 2013 at 11:00 AM
@ngl: I agree with you re: Russia. However, I still cannot get my head around her gym in Moscow. Why did she get involved with a business venture in such a vehemently homophobic country? As Jessie J would say, I guess it's all "about the money, money"...
Posted by: Tina | Monday, 11 February 2013 at 01:25 PM
I'm surprised that Madonna went to homophobic Russia, it was a brave move & she is no doubt helping some gay Russians find some strength & peace- but sadly Russia is stuck in the dark ages!
This report falsely claims that Madonna's real name is 'Louise Veronica Ciccone'! Wrong! Her first birth name really is 'Madonna'(named after her mother), her middle birth name is 'Louise' & her final birth name is the family name 'Ciccone'. Madonna was raised a Roman Catholic, & she chose 'Veronica' as her 'Confirmation Name' when she was a young child- she is no longer a RC & this name is redundant. I'm amazed after all these decades some people still believe 'Madonna' is her adopted stage name- despite Madonna explaining her first name origins over & over since 82!!!
Posted by: ngl | Saturday, 09 February 2013 at 07:50 PM
That people is fuck up of their minds. I really hope people in Russian stand up for their rights.
WAKE UP PEOPLE OF RUSSIA ! WAKE UP !!
Posted by: jc | Friday, 08 February 2013 at 03:06 AM