RUSSIA: Organizers Of Lady Gaga Concert Fined For Her "Pro-Homosexual" Speech

The organizers of Lady Gaga's 2012 Moscow concerts have been fined because she advocated for LGBT rights from the stage. According to the judgment, Gaga "harmed children" with her message.

A magistrate’s court in St Petersburg yesterday (14 November) fined Planet Plus 20,000 rubles ($614, €455). During the gigs in St Petersburg and Moscow on 9 and 12 December 2012, the US singer dared Russia to arrest her and made a speech about the bravery of LGBTs in the face of anti-gay laws. ‘I can't even really believe that you're all here because when they first called me they were like, “We want you to go to Russia but we might have some problems because of all the gay propaganda in your show”,’ she said. ‘Thank you, Moscow, for spreading the message of equality around the world. Thank you for spreading the message of Born This Way.’ Later, to screams of support, she said: ‘So stand up for yourself, or stand up for your friends. Where's all my gay kids tonight? ‘Tonight, this is my house, Russia. You can be gay in my house. And if you ever need me Moscow, I will just be a telephone call away.’

The organizers say they will appeal the fine.

RELATED: Last November a Russian court acquitted Madonna of charges that she threatened the national birth rate by promoting gay rights during a concert there.  Madonna was served a summons at her Upper East Side mansion, but she never acknowledged the charges, which were brought by the Russian Orthodox Church, nor did she appear at the trial.