Lady Gaga Thanks Russia's Medvedev For Opposing Anti-Gay Law

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was asked last night about a spate of anti-gay laws in Russia, including the "gay propaganda" fines enacted in St. Petersburg, where Lady Gaga is performing this evening. Such laws are unnecessary, he said.

"Not all moral issues, behavioral habits and inter-personal communication patterns have to become legislatures," said the prime minister. "Because not all relationships have to be legislatively regulated."

Pleased by the PM's stand against his conservative allies, Lady Gaga tweeted him some love, "Thank You Prime Minister Medvedev for not standing by your party's anti gay propaganda law & instead supporting my show+fans all over Russia." Madonna of course flouted St. Petersburg's draconian edict, which led to fines, a failed $10 million lawsuit and a warning from the State Department.

Officials to Hit Madonna with $17,000 Fine for Violating St. Petersburg Law Against Gay 'Propaganda': REPORT

Madonna faces a fine for her violating St. Petersburg, Russia's ban on 'gay propaganda' for the demonstration at her concert yesterday, according to reports from activists in the country.

Said Polina Savchenko, director of the St. Petersburg LGBT group, Coming Out, in an email obtained by Towleroad:

LGBT organization Coming Out, printed 330 rainbow posters with the saying "No Fear" that were distributed to the crowd. Although some posters were confiscated by security, their display had a huge emotional effect during the show. Many fans raised them during Madonna's speech, and she reacted by saying "No Fear, that's right" before insisting that fear was the basis of all discrimination, and that tolerance could only be guaranteed by love, the opposite of fear. During the performance of "Like A Prayer", while dancers were raising a rainbow flag provided by a member of Coming Out and the Russian LGBT Network, Madonna took a "No Fear" poster from the crowd and raised it for 25,000 people to see. Same as for "Pussy Riot" support in Moscow, she had tattooed her back, this time with "No Fear." Gay bashing scenes from gay demonstrations in Russia, pictures of teenagers who died because of homophobia, and many gay and lesbian kisses were shown during the very political "Nobody Knows Me" Interlude Video.

Madonna's support was extremely moving. Most of the mostly heterosexual crowd reacted positively to her message by raising pink wristbands that were distributed to everyone to support the LGBT community. The LGBT in the audience received Madonna's support with both smiles and tears, and gratified her with the universal message "We love you" at the end of the show.

Author of the "propaganda" law in St. Petersburg, Vitaly Milonov (pictured) today declared that Madonna broke the law and is planning to charge her with a fine of 500,000 rubles ($17 000).

Here's an Epic Fantasia About Gays Fighting Back in St. Petersburg, Russia: VIDEO

Director Elias Koskimies sends us his short musical film "I've Only Just Begun" which he put together with more than 60 people who volunteered their time. The clip is set somewhere just outside of St. Petersburg, and is a stunning visual statement about LGBT discrimination, individuality, and gays fighting back against those who oppress them.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

St. Petersburg, as you may know, recently passed a ban on "gay propaganda" which bars (and imposes fines for) gay groups, gay books and periodicals, LGBT Pride events, and other "promotion" of homosexuality. It's being considered in Moscow, and nationally in Russia.

Related...
Madonna In STP: 'Show Your Love And Appreciation To The Gay Community' - VIDEO [tlrd]

Madonna Announces Pro-LGBT Pink Wristband Demonstration at St. Petersburg Concert

Madonna, who promised in March to speak out against the oppressive ban on "gay propaganda" passed by St. Petersburg, Russia, announced a short time ago on Facebook that she would be handing out pink wristbands "to anyone that wants to support the LGBT community."

She adds, "The wristband will be part of the show - be prepared to raise your arm in support!"

Said Madonna in March: “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. I’m a freedom fighter.”

Madonna would be directly opposing the anti-propaganda law by making such a gesture. The law’s author, city assemblyman Vitaly Milanov, said in March that she would be charged under the law if she did anything at her concert to disobey it. The anti-gay law bars (and imposes fines for) gay groups from forming publicly, gay books and periodicals, LGBT Pride events, and other "promotions" of homosexuality.

He said he was willing to attend the show “to control its moral content.”

The U.S. Embassies in Moscow and St. Petersburg sent out a security alert yesterday for U.S. citizens regarding concerts tonight and Thursday by Madonna in those cities.

U.S. Embassies in Moscow and St. Petersburg Warn Citizens of Possible Violence at Madonna Concert

The U.S. Embassies in Moscow and St. Petersburg sent out a security message today for U.S. citizens regarding concerts tonight and Thursday by Madonna in those cities.

Says the warning:

This is to alert U.S. citizens in Russia who are planning to attend the Madonna concerts in Moscow on Tuesday, August 7, or in St. Petersburg on Thursday, August 9, that the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg has received information regarding a threat of physical violence against spectators and performers at the St. Petersburg concert on August 9.  The U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg have shared the information with appropriate Russian law enforcement authorities.  Russian authorities have indicated to the Embassy that they are taking appropriate measures in light of this information.  While we expect that enhanced security measures will be put in place at both concerts, U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant regarding their personal security, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas.

Specific details of the threat have not been made public.

Madonna said in March she would speak out against the oppressive ban on "gay propaganda" passed by St. Petersburg, an announcement that has her under surveillance by Russian authorities.

Madonna spoke out about feminist punk band Pussy Riot at Tuesday's concert, the Guardian reports:

Prosecutors on Tuesday called for the three women – Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich – to be jailed for three years after arguing they had insulted all of Russian Orthodoxy and posed a danger to society. They have been charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after performing a "punk prayer" against President Vladimir Putin in a Moscow cathedral.

Performing in Moscow's Olimpisky Stadium on Tuesday night, Madonna donned a balaclava and stripped off her clothes to reveal the words "Pussy Riot" scrawled across her back during a performance of her 1984 hit Like a Virgin.

Said Madonna: "I know there are many sides to every story, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government, but I think these girls … have done something courageous and they have paid the price for this act and I pray for their freedom. They deserve the right to be free."

'Voice of America' Looks at the Hideous Oppression Gay People Face in St. Petersburg, Russia: VIDEO

Voice of America takes a look at the government oppression of gays in St. Petersburg, Russia. Above, a group of nationalists attacks a bus containing a group of gay people who held a demonstration in a city park and were placed in the bus by city police.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...