Lady Gaga: The Russian Government is criminal in its oppression of LGBT people

Lady Gaga is the latest public figure to condemn Russia for its climate of homophobic oppression.

Hours after Christine Quinn, the gay Democratic candidate who’s vying to become the next mayor of New York City urged President Obama to take a stand, Gaga tweeted: “Sending bravery to LGBTs in Russia. The rise in government abuse is archaic. Hosing teenagers with pepper spray? Beatings? Mother Russia?”

She added: “The Russian Government is criminal. Oppression will be met with revolution. Russian LGBTs you are not alone. We will fight for your freedom.”

“Why didn’t you arrest me when you had the chance, Russia? Because you didn’t want answer to the world?”

Last week it emerged Russian officials are considering prosecuting both Lady Gaga and Madonna for performing in their country in 2012 without proper paperwork. The effort is being led by Vitaly Milonov, who serves in St Petersburg’s municipal legislature.

Mr Milonov, one of the sponsors of the city’s law which prohibits LGBT “propaganda”, requested an assessment of whether either singer violated immigration or tax laws while in Russia, back in August 2012.