Ellis-Bextor: ‘I wont stop touring Russia over anti-gay laws’
By Josh Haggis
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has insisted that she will continue to perform in Russia despite the country’s anti-gay laws.
The Murder on the Dancefloor popstar, 35, has spoken about her “massive gay following” in a new interview – and vowed to keep touring the controversial country because she refuses to let down her gay fans there.
“I’ve got a massive gay following and I have done from the beginning and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of,” Bextor told The Independent. “I perform in Russia because I love the fact that music can bring everyone together, and everyone is welcome at my gigs and I like to think that it’s a place where they can get their hands in the air to the disco music and that we could connect.”
She continued: “I’ve seen my gay fans in Russia. I’ve met them. So it’s really hard. But I’m not going to stop going there if it gives them somewhere to go and I can have a moment with them.”
Meanwhile, US popstar Selena Gomez has been denied a visa to perform into Russia later this month, reportedly because of her record promoting gay rights – read the full story here.