14 DAY TRIAL // There were a lot of controversies surrounding the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, but none seemed to spark more discussions than the recent anti-gay law which forbids gay propaganda in Russia.
In a seldom seen move, Vladimir Putin opened up to western journalists on the matter and claimed that Russia was not an anti-gay country. There have been numerous protests in countries all over the West, as well as many celebrities who were in favor of boycotting the games following the anti-gay law.
Putin came to contradict this position, saying that his country was not opposed to gays. He even confessed to being an Elton John fan, as were countless other Russians, who did not take notice of John's preference in partners.
Speaking with British reporter Andrew Marr, Putin said “Elton John, he's an extraordinary person, a distinguished musician. And millions of our people sincerely love him, regardless of his sexual orientation,” appearing to want to end the gay controversy.
He used this argument to illustrate how Russia looks kindly upon gays. He said that gays were not in any way being discriminated against in his country, and there was no reason for them to feel inferior.
Putin explained, “I myself know some people who are gay. We're on friendly terms. I'm not prejudiced in any way. Homosexual people can't feel inferior here [in Russia] because there is no professional, career or social discrimination against them.”
Ironically, Elton John took a strong position against the anti-gay law in his recent concert in Moscow, condemning the project that forbids information about the gays to people under the age of 18.
The Winter Olympics in Sochi are set to begin later on in the year, on February 6, amidst numerous boycott calls among many gay celebrities but also gay rights groups.