ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Nov. 16 (UPI) — A Russian court fined the concert promoters that brought Lady Gaga to the country for a concert during which she expressed support for gays and lesbians. The St. Petersburg court upheld a ruling passed in May that concert promoters Planeta Plus should be fine $615 for violating Russia’s controversial law banning the promotion of homosexuality to minors, RIA Novosti reported Friday.
Lady Gaga performed in Russia in December and vocally expressed her support of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals during the concert, said a member of the Trade Union of Russian Citizens, who took her daughter to the show.
The group, which celebrates conservative values and brought the case to court, was on hand for Thursday’s ruling.
“We have managed to prove that the promoters were wrong and acted in breach of Russian laws, especially those important ones concerning the protection of children,” said spokeswoman Darya Dedova.
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Not a good signal to send so close to the olympics and very much contrary to all the assurances coming out of The Kremlin about how the anti-gay purge won’t affect the games.
Now that’s something I wouldn’t bet on.