Baryshnikov Denounces Russia's Anti-LGBT Laws, Violence

Famed dancer and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov has come out against former his home country's recent treatment of its LGBT citizens and denounced Russia's new "gay propaganda" law.

"My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues and friends and any discrimination and persecution of gay people is unacceptable," Baryshnikov, said in a statement for the No More Fear Foundation. "Equal treatment of people is a basic right and it is sad that we still have to even speak about this in [the] 21st century."

Baryshnikov released the statement over the weekend through the No More Fear Foundation, a new organization based in New York aiming to fight against Russia's anti-LGBT laws and growing acts of violence against LGBT people.

Baryshnikov, born in Latvia, studied ballet in Russia for decades before coming the United States to dance with multiple companies, including the New York City Ballet.