No Gays: Madonna sued for $10.5m over Russian pro-gay comments

Madonna has been sued for nearly $10.5m (£6.6m) by Russian activists after she promoted gay rights at a show in St Petersburg earlier this month. The 'Girl Gone Wild' singer called for "love and appreciation for the gay community" during the concert on August 9, prompting calls from politicians for her to be charged with illegal propaganda.

A group of nine have since filed a lawsuit against the 54-year-old, arguing that she violated a law passed in February making it illegal to promote homosexuality to minors by directing her comments at an audience allegedly containing fans as young as 12. According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the complaint includes a video taken at the concert of Madonna stomping on an Orthodox cross and encouraging those in attendance to show off pink wristbands distributed during the show in support of homosexuals. Defending the activists from accusations of outdated beliefs, their lawyer Alexander Pochuyev said: "No-one is burning anyone at the stake or carrying out an Inquisition. "Modern civilization requires tolerance and respect for different values." The lawsuit is also being levelled at the concert's organiser and the venue where it was held. Madonna previously angered Russian conservatives with a tribute to the band Pussy Riot as they stood accused of hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred. She has since hit out at the "harsh" and "inhumane" two-year jail sentence handed out over the group's criticism of President Vladimir Putin.