Tag Archives: gay advocate

Music Icon Madonna Sued For Supporting Pussy Riot & Gay Rights In Recent Concert

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It is reported that singer, actress, icon, and legend Madonna is being sued for $10.5 million (£6.6 million) by the Russian Anti-Gay groups because of her support of the band group Pussy Riot during her MDNA concert on August 9th.During the concert, Madonna reaffirmed her support for gay rights:

 “here to say that the gay community and gay people here and all around the world have the same rights to be treated with dignity, with respect, with tolerance, with compassion, with love,”

During the concert Madonna handed out anti-homophobia wristbands and during a performance of “Express Yourself” exposed her back with the band’s name in support. Madonna also held up rainbow colored signs in show that said “NO FEAR”.

The oppressors are claiming that Madonna’s recent performace supporting punk rock group Pussy Riot after their arrest protesting the Russian Government’s anti-gay rights stance siting her performance was “moral damage suffered by St. Petersburg residents”. A legal represnetative for the anti-gay groups suing said the performance was “psychological stress and emotional shock” as well as a“promotion of homosexuality.” Madonna is also being accused of disfiguring an Orthodox Cross.

Pussy Riot were arrested in March after their charged performance of “punk party”, a song that opposed Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the government’s extreme conservative views on gay rights.The three bandmembers were sentenced yesterday to two years in prison labeled as “hooliganism” Both Pussy Riot and Madonna have been staunch supporters of LGBT rights and equality.

Earler today. Madonna released a statement encouraging activist and advocates alike that the conviction of the band Pusssy Riot is unjust and encourages others to speak out:

“I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40 second performance extolling their political opinions. Even if one disagrees with the location or how they chose to express themselves, the sentence is too harsh and in fact is inhumane. I call on all those who love freedom to condemn this unjust punishment. I urge artists around the world to speak up in protest against this travesty. They’ve spent enough time in jail. I call on ALL of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free.”

As of the time of this article, there’s been no official comment from Madonna or her representatives on this ridiculous lawsuit.

Kristin Chenoweth Sounds Off To Newsweek About Ramin Setoodah’s Recent Article "Straight Jacket"

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Last week Newsweek published truly offenive article by Ramin Setoodah titled “Straight Jacket“, in which he claims that gay actors cannot convincingly play straight roles. (Which is laughable considering how man closeted gay men in Hollywood actually do.)  Setoodah who uses barely veiled homopobia when writings on gay topics. (Either because of an internalized problem that he has or for sensationalism reasons had even gone so far in the past to suggust that Lawrence King (who I believe was 15) “had it coming” because his experimenting with his gender identity “made others uncomfortable”.

Kristin who  is currently starring in Broadway’s Promises, Promises opposite Sean Hayes, whom Setoodah describes as “the pink elephant in the room.” wrote a letter to Newsweek blasting its irresponsibility for publishing such an article and condemning Setoodah for writing such irresponsible homophobic garbage.

“As someone who’s been proudly advocating for equal rights and supporting GLBT causes for as long as I can remember, I know how much it means to young people struggling with their sexuality to see out & proud actors like Sean Hayes, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris and Cynthia Nixon succeeding in their work without having to keep their sexuality a secret.

No one needs to see a bigoted, factually inaccurate article that tells people who deviate from heterosexual norms that they can’t be open about who they are and still achieve their dreams. I am told on good authority that Mr. Setoodeh is a gay man himself and I would hope, as the author of this article, he would at least understand that. I encourage Newsweek to embrace stories which promote acceptance, love, unity and singing and dancing for all!” – Kristin Chenoweth

BRAVA DIVA!