Madonna To Oppose New Anti-Gay Russian Law On Tour

Madonna's first Russian tour finds her, once again, in the middle of controversy. Though her visit has been opposed by orthodox Christian activists, Madonna vows to speak up against anti-gay sentiments in St. Petersburg during her August concert there.

St. Petersburg Governor and former KGB officer Georgy Poltavchenko, an ally of Vladimir Putin, signed a law into effect on March 7 that bans "the propaganda of male homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, and transgenderism among minors," forbidding the "intentional and unregulated distribution in a publicly accessible manner of information that can harm the health or the process of moral and spiritual development of minors, including forming among them the false perception that traditional and non-traditional relationships are socially equal."

Madonna, who will release her new album, MDNA, on Monday, was called to participate in a boycott of St. Petersburg by New York Times writer Masha Gessen, according to the Wall Street Journal, but Madonna has her own ideas. "I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community, to support the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed. I don't run away from adversity. I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity .... I'm a freedom fighter," she said.

Madonna's MDNA, which features anticipated tracks "Girl Gone Wild," "Turn up the Radio," "Gang Bang," "I'm Addicted," and "I F**ked Up," some of which were leaked online earlier this week, according to MTV, drops on Monday, March 26.