Madonna to Speak Out Against St. Petersburg’s ‘Gay Propaganda’ Law

Never one to pass up an opportunity to speak out against sexual discrimination — or use her fame as a tool for furthering her favorite causes — Madonna has announced her intention to use an upcoming performance in Russia as a forum for speaking out against a controversial St. Petersburg law.

“I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed,” she announced in an email to Bloomberg Businessweek yesterday, adding, “I’m a freedom fighter.”

Topping off the email with a nice bit of understatement, Madonna added, “I don’t run away from adversity. I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.”

The law that’s got Madonna up in arms, signed into action last month by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, makes it a crime to read, write, speak about or report on issues relating to the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community. Part of a government effort to curb what it calls “the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal,” it carries fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($17,000).

Madonna’s new album, ‘MDNA,’ is scheduled for release on Monday (March 26).