American pop-singer Lady Gaga has joined calls for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia over the nation's stance on gay rights. The 27 year-old star is a vocal advocate of equality and has previously slammmed officials in the former Soviet Union over a ban on 'promoting' homosexuality.
Now, she has joined other stars, including singer Lily Allen and writer/funnyman Stephen Fry, in calling for a global boycott of the showpiece sporting event.
She tells British talk show host Alan Carr, "To be honest, I don't think that we should be going to the Olympics at all, I don't know if my opinion is not highly regarded, in terms of the amazing champions and people that are rehearsing and training for the event.
"I mean I would never take anything away from their hard work, I just think it is absolutely wrong for so many countries to send money and economy in the way of a country that doesn't support gays... But it's not just that they don't support the gay community, they pepper spray and beat them in Russia.
"I went to Russia for the Born This Way Ball (tour), and I was really excited to be there, because I felt it was an important place to bring the message of the album, but it made me very sad to see the pain that some of the gay kids are in Russia, and for the world to send their finest for the Olympics... it just feels so wrong and sad."
Gaga also reveals that during a previous trip to the country she unsuccessfully tried to get arrested with an onstage protest, adding, "You know what, I don't think I'm even allowed in anymore because I screamed 'I'm gay, arrest me' on stage last time I was there... I never really understand with activists when they get upset when they get arrested, I'm like 'Isn't that the point, that you get arrested?'"
"Because you have to contest the law, and they didn't arrest me when I was there so I couldn't contest the law."
No comments:
Post a Comment