Madonna Will “Speak Up” for Gays at St. Petersburg Concert

Madonna plans to speak out against St. Petersburg, Russia’s new antigay law when she performs there in August, Bloomberg News reports.

“I don’t run away from adversity,” she said in an exclusive email to the news service Tuesday night. “I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.”

The star is referring to a law banning “public activities promoting homosexuality” to minors, and gay groups in Russia say it will have the effect of prohibiting even LGBT pride parades. The law, signed by St. Petersburg governor Georgy Poltavchenko March 7 after approval by the city legislature, says pro-gay “propaganda” could give young people “the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal.”

Some pro-LGBT activists have called on tourists and celebrities to boycott the city, but Madonna plans to take a different approach while keeping her August 9 concert date. “I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed,” she said in the email to Bloomberg. “I’m a freedom fighter.”