Madonna Vows To Defend G*y Community at Russian Concert

Singer Madonna has vowed to defend g*ys and l*sbians during a concert in the Russian capital city of St. Petersburg.

The MDNA star has promised to make the stand against local lawmakers after they implemented a bill which prohibits the so-called promotion of same-s*x relationships.

"I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the g*y community, to support the g*y community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed," she wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday.

"I don't run away from adversity. I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity."

The assertion comes after fans threatened to protest outside the show on 9 August - and just 48 hours after a New York Times journalist blog called for a boycott of St. Petersburg - specifically referencing Madonna.

The controversial legislation - which has been heavily campaigned against by LGBT activists - will see people fined up to $16,000 and organisations up to $16,000 for the "promotion" of homos*xuality among minors.

It would also put a blanket ban on g*y Pride events, which have been a contentious issue in recent years.

The law also restricts discussion about l*sbian, bis*xual and tr*nsgender issues.

The legislation, which has been forced through without any public discussion and has no scientific or medical grounding, has been slammed for contributing directly to intolerance.