RUSSIA: Parents' Group Demands Vladimir Putin Cancel Elton John's Concerts

A Russian parents' group has demanded that Vladimir Putin cancel Elton John's coming concerts there.

In an open letter to Putin, the local parents' group in central Ural region was reported by media as saying: "The singer intends to come out in support of local sodomites and break the current Russian law, directed at protecting children." Critics say the law banning gay "propaganda" among minors - which has prompted calls for a boycott of Russia's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics - is discriminatory, barring people from being open about their sexual orientation. The law is part of a broader attempt by Putin to win over Russians in the mostly conservative country following protests against his rule among urban and often middle class voters over his return to the Kremlin last May.

On Monday, John told NPR that he does not plan to denounce Russia's anti-gay laws from stage, adding that he "won't tell Putin to go to hell." The Moscow concert is scheduled for December 6th and John plays the Russian city of Kazan the following night.