Anti-gay Russian activists sue Madonna for $10 million

A group of Russian anti-gay activists sued American pop star Madonna for $10 million (6.4 million pounds) on Friday, saying she had insulted their feelings when she spoke out for gay rights at a concert in St Petersburg last week.
Performing in black lingerie with the words 'No Fear' scrawled on her back, Madonna attacked a city law adopted in March that imposed fines for spreading homosexual 'propaganda'. She had earlier called the law a 'ridiculous atrocity'.
Homosexuality, punished with jail terms in the Soviet Union, was decriminalised in Russia in 1993, but much of the gay community remains underground as prejudice runs deep.
'She (Madonna) had been warned with words that she should behave in line with the law and she ignored it. So we will speak in the language of money,' said Darya Dedova, one of the 10 activists who filed the lawsuit in a St Petersburg court.
'Of course, it is difficult to measure moral damages and suffering but maybe people who earn money regardless of moral rules will better understand this,' Dedova said. She added if they won the case, the money would be sent to orphanages.
'Maybe someone does not see the link but after Madonna's concert maybe some boy becomes gay, some girl becomes lesbian, fewer children are born as a result and this big country cannot defend its borders - for me it causes moral suffering,' said Alexei Kolotkov, another of the activists who filed the suit.
The St Petersburg propaganda law is the model for a bill that has been submitted to the national parliament but has not yet faced a vote. Critics say they fear it could be used to clamp down on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, for example by barring gay rights demonstrations.
In Moscow, gay rights suffered a blow when an appeal court upheld a lower court's ruling that found city authorities had acted legally when they rejected applications from activists to hold a gay rights march every year for the next 100 years.
Attempts to hold gay rights rallies in the Russian capital have often ended in arrests and clashes with anti-gay activists.
In May, dozens of people were detained in Moscow after Russian Orthodox activists broke up two gay rights marches, throwing water and shouting prayers.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Comments

[Aurid muskee]

Ben hier zo boos over en zo blij dat ik Holland woon dit kan toch niet waar zijn

[madonnka]

Comment posted by InDaSnatch & Mark has given me goose bums in a positive way of perfect catch while expressing how ignorant and selfish some of those activist / Russian / soviets can be in this life time. The whole world tries to fight over building a democracy of spoken word, so should you have the right to sue hor something the rest of the world agrees on? Madonna's word has a huge impact on the rest of us YES... I understand how threatening this can be for smaller groups of activist but, come on... look your self in a mirror and stop acting immature and uneducated activists !!!!

[Greg]

What a bunch of crap! People becoming gay after seeing Madonna??? OMG! Can you say pathetic losers??? I can't believe the absolute ignorance of these people! If this is what gays (everyone, actually) have to put up with in Russia, then I wish that every child there be born gay! That would be awesome!

[Steve]

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people seem to be "offended" at the drop of a hat. That's Liberalism for you.

[Joey]

I agree with InDaSnatch. While their username is a bit silly, they have quite a point. These people are supposedly constantly praising God but all the while they are being hateful and judgmental which is... TA DA! A sin!

They are money-hungry bastards and Madonna's probably laughing as she rolls around in her tub of money.

[Mark]

The people on the wrong here are the ones trying to tell others how to live their life's. Move with the times and realise the bible is written by man NOT god. The bible should be banned its well out of date and causes nothing but hatred . I'm a catholic and I wouldn't dare tell anyone how to live their life, as I wouldn't want anyone telling me how to live my life. Do these people not know we all end up in the same place, under the dirt in a box with the worms!!!

[Mark Allen]

Thanks for your comment above InDaSnatch. Madonna and Mark just wanna remind you, a little less four letter words when you get to the gates ok. We'll see you up there, wink! Save the 4 letter words for the Pope, he'll need them. LOL

[Mark Allen]

Oh my God. Less people to be born to guard the "border line". What a wonderful life they must all be looking forward to. What is Russia still famous for according to the rest of the world? Kind of hard to blend the spy into the background when they're laughing and vougeing in the spotlight in gorgeous sparkly clothes not in grey with a large muff. Sue her Russia, she'd love to give 10 mill to the orphans, it'll just go to Guy Oseary anyway. Dack him. Eject him. Drive past Russia. Do not collect $200, take 10 mill. Petty cash for a good cause. Someone may as well live abundance.

[jess]

This people are ridiculous. Someone Should sue them for being so discriminative.

[Raul M]

Russia apparently wants to contine it's oppressive regime and deny its' citizen's civil rights. It is sad and the very oppressors who want to deny gays their rights are the most ignorant and hateful group of human beings that should be prohibited from denying civil rights with their hateful messages that are based on ignorance!!!

[InDaSnatch]

I say fuck the anti-gay activists, fuck the ignorant russian politicians and FUCK THE ORTHODOX CHURCH!! SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!! STOP USING MY GOD'S HOLY WORD TO SPREAD HATE AND JUDGMENT!! GOD IS LOVE!! MAN IS NOT THE JUDGE!! REMEMBER WE ARE ALL SINNERS!! I think all the religious fanatics really need to take a serious look at themselves and Stop trying to always point the finger. Remember everytime you point the finger there are three more pointing back at you!! GOD have mercy on all of your bible beatin' souls because you're going to have a lot to answer for come judgment day!! Just as the rest of us SINNERS will!! But I don't want to be counted with all the rest of you self righteous hypocrites that did nothing but spend your entire lives judging and condemning others!! I pray for all of you :D

[Josh]

Madonna has tonnes of money. She can afford it!

[JC]

Is obvious they want MONEY ! but f. OFF !
NO to all the Russian out the, Stand up for your rights before is tolate. Stop using the Church as an excuse. Stop that crap !

Wake up Russians, Stand up. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !

[Artie808]

It's all about money that they are going after Madonna and not their feelings. What a bunch of losers!