A Pop Icon has been the most recent to voice their stance on Russia’s anti gay law by turning down the opener at one of the biggest anticipated events, the 2014 Olympics! I’ll give you a hint, Sonny and …. Hit the jump for more detail!
The pop godess Cher revealed to Canada’s ‘MacLean’s’ magazine that she turned down the opener for the 2014 Olympics, taking place in Russia, in light of the countries anti gay law!
“I can’t name names, but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show,” she said. “I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.”
“Cher told MacLean’s that she’s always identified with the LGBT community because she’s often felt like she’s on the fringes of society. “People hated [late ex-husband] Sonny [Bono] and I in the early days because we looked and acted so different,” she said. “Sonny was always getting into fights — people would called him ‘fag’ and he’d get his nose broken — only because we were dressing different. And these were our street clothes! You can’t forget that.”
“In July, Russia passed a controversial law that bans the public discussion or display of gay rights in front of minors. With Russia hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, many gay-rights advocates have spoken out against the law”
Other celebrities have joined the boycotting of their presence at any event or brand having to do with the country, including the protesting of Russian vodka brands, and events held in Russia. Shout out to Cher for standing up and denying the gig no matter how big it was!
