R&B star Rihanna has announced she will join the ranks of a group of international pop celebrities campaigning in support of gay rights in Russia.
The singer used Twitter over the weekend to post a photograph of herself wearing a hat bearing the P6 logo — a reference to the Principle Six of the Olympic Charter, which condemns all forms of discrimination.
Russia has faced an onslaught of international criticism after the passage last year of legislation banning the promotion of homosexuality among minors, a law that rights activists say is fostering intolerance toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. The issue has received additional impetus with the holding of the Winter Olympics currently taking place in the southern Russian city of Sochi.
Rihanna linked on her Twitter account, which has more than 34 million followers, to an opinion piece in the New York Times newspaper that described the anti-gay law as "outrageously repressive."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
