The Russian Common Prosecutor’s Workplace has introduced a nationwide ban of the Elton John AIDS Basis, accusing the group of opposing the nation’s “conventional non secular and ethical values.”
The workplace made the announcement right this moment, specifying that the ban utilized to two foundations registered individually in america and Britain underneath the identical identify. Each have been deemed “undesirable organizations.”
“When a musician performs together with the promoters of democracy, you get propaganda,” the prosecutor’s workplace stated in a press release on its official Telegram channel (by way of Reuters). “And if Elton John is on the piano, it’s not simply anti-Russian propaganda.”
The assertion continued: “The NGOs (non-governmental organisations) actively take part in an info marketing campaign orchestrated by the ‘collective West’ to discredit conventional values and escalate social tensions.”
READ MORE: 42 Loud and Proud LGBTQ Anthems
Elton John’s Lengthy Historical past of Vocal LGBTQ+ Activism
Since 1992, the Elton John Aids Basis has raised greater than $600 million throughout 95 international locations “to improve entry to well being care, deal with LGBTQ+ stigma and finish AIDS,” in response to the mission assertion on its web site.
Though the inspiration is targeted totally on AIDS prevention and management, the Russian Common Prosecutor’s Workplace took specific situation with its LGBTQ+ advocacy. In a separate assertion on its web site, it decried the inspiration for selling “non-traditional sexual relationships, Western household fashions, and gender reassignment.” It additionally urged, with out examples, that John’s basis was a part of a Western marketing campaign to “denigrate Russia” over its warfare in Ukraine.
Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has been properly documented. In 2023, the Russian Supreme Court docket banned the so-called “worldwide LGBT motion,” deeming it an “extremist group.”
The Elton John Basis has not but commented publicly on its Russian ban. However John has lengthy been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and in 2023 he criticized U.S. lawmakers for reversing LGBTQ+ progress in America.
“We appear to be going backwards,” John advised the Radio Occasions. “And that spreads. It is like a virus that the LGBTQ+ motion is struggling.”
35 LGBTQ Icons
A have a look at a few of music’s queer trailblazers.
Gallery Credit score: Allison Rapp
