During her first-ever show in Moscow, U.S. pop star Lady Gaga preached tolerance to fans and laid into Russian authorities for passing legislation banning homosexual propaganda among minors.
Before singing her hit "Telephone" in Olympiisky Stadium on Wednesday, Lady Gaga paused to speak about draconian anti-gay legislation passed in several Russian cities including No. 2 city St. Petersburg.
The law effectively outlaws gay-pride parades and displays of public affection among same-sex couples.
Vitaly Milonov, the United Russia lawmaker who authored the St. Petersburg law, earlier called for Lady Gaga's Russia tour to be banned for those under 18.
On Wednesday night, Lady Gaga asked fans to "come together for the voice of society, for equality in Moscow and equality in Russia," according to a video of her speech posted on YouTube.
The pop star called on "gay kids" to make themselves heard. Comparing Olympiiskiy to "her house," she told concert-goers that "you can be gay in my house."
Prior to her arrival in Russia, Lady Gaga thanked Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev for "not standing by your party's anti-gay propaganda law" after Medvedev said in televised comments that "not all relations between people can be regulated by law."
Lady Gaga is not the first foreign star to denounce the controversial anti-gay legislation. In August, Madonna was taken to court for promoting homosexuality after she spoke about gay rights during a St. Petersburg concert.
Madonna was later acquitted.
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