The Russian Normal Prosecutor’s Workplace has introduced a nationwide ban of the Elton John AIDS Basis, accusing the group of opposing the nation’s “conventional religious and ethical values.”
The workplace made the announcement right this moment, specifying that the ban utilized to two foundations registered individually in the USA and Britain below the identical title. Each have been deemed “undesirable organizations.”
“When a musician performs together with the promoters of democracy, you get propaganda,” the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned in an announcement on its official Telegram channel (through Reuters). “And if Elton John is on the piano, it isn’t 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.”
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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 enhance entry to well being care, sort out LGBTQ+ stigma and finish AIDS,” in response to the mission assertion on its web site.
Though the inspiration is concentrated totally on AIDS prevention and management, the Russian Normal Prosecutor’s Workplace took explicit difficulty 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 recommended, with out examples, that John’s basis was a part of a Western marketing campaign to “denigrate Russia” over its battle in Ukraine.
Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has been effectively documented. In 2023, the Russian Supreme Courtroom 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 informed the Radio Instances. “And that spreads. It is like a virus that the LGBTQ+ motion is struggling.”
A take a look at a few of music’s queer trailblazers.
Gallery Credit score: Allison Rapp
