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Elton John and band performed in Moscow on December 6, 2013
Saturday, December 7 2013 |
During his Moscow show Elton criticized the Russian government’s recent passage of anti-gay laws, calling them “inhumane” and “isolating.”
In a statement read on stage, Elton dedicated his concert to the memory of Vladislav Tornovoy, a 23-year-old Russian man who was beaten, sodomized with a beer bottle, and murdered earlier in 2013 after his attackers allegedly learned he was gay.
“You took me to your hearts all these years ago and you’ve always welcomed me with warmth and open arms every time I’ve visited. You have always embraced me and you have never judged me. So I am deeply saddened and shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the LGBT community here in Russia.
“In my opinion, it is inhumane and it is isolating. People have demanded that because of this legislation, I must not come here to Russia. But many, many more people asked me to come and I listened to them. I love coming here.
“I want to show them and the world that I care and that I don’t believe in isolating people. Music is a very powerful thing. It brings people together irrespective of their age, their race, their sexuality, or their religion. It does not discriminate.
“Look around you tonight. You see men, women, young and old, gay and straight. Thousands of Russian people enjoying the music. We’re all here together in harmony and harmony is what makes a happy family and a strong society.
“The spirit we share tonight is what builds a future of equality, love and compassion for my children and for your children. Please don’t leave it behind when you leave tonight. Each and every one of you please, keep this spirit in your life and in your heart. I wish you love and peace and health and happiness.
“And this show is dedicated to the memory of Vladislav Tornovoy.”
Ealier this year, Elton has said he wanted to perform in Russia to support the Russian LGBT community. “As a gay man, I can’t leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’ve got to go,” he told British media.
In Russia, groups such as the Union of Orthodox Brotherhoods and the Ural Parents Committee have publicly spoken out against Elton performing in the country, either through a petition or a letter to Mr Putin. Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, but its medical institutions continued to class homosexuality as a mental disorder until 1999.
A survey by Levada independent polling centre in March 2013 found that 34% thought homosexuality was an illness that should be treated. With the 2014 Winter Olympics due to be held in Sochi in Russia, the current law has attracted attention around the world. However, Mr Putin said in October 2013 that gay "athletes, fans and guests" would be made to feel welcome during the games.
In addition to the Moscow performance, he is scheduled to perform in Kazan on December 7, 2013.
Following is the complete set list of the Moscow show on December 6, 2013.:- Funeral For A Friend
- Love Lies Bleeding
- Bennie And The Jets
- Candle In The Wind
- Grey Seal
- Levon
- Tiny Dancer
- Holiday Inn
- Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
- Believe
- Philadelphia Freedom
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
- Rocket Man
- Hey Ahab
- I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
- Nikita
- Oceans Away
- Someone Saved My Life Tonight
- Sad Songs (Say So Much)
- All The Girls Love Alice
- Home Again
- Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
- I'm Still Standing
- The Bitch Is Back
- Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n Roll)
- Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
- Your Song
- Crocodile Rock
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