Madonna has always been considered as something of a queer icon, thanks to her status as a singer, actress, and entertainer. But more than that, the 61-year-old legend has shown her support for the LGBTQ community in more concrete ways -- resulting in a $1 million fine.
Out reports that the fine supposedly stems from a 2012 MDNA tour stop in St. Petersburg, Russia. The city had recently passed an ordinance that prohibited the discussion of anything related to the LGBTQ community around minors as it was considered something that could “convert” children.
Of course, the Material Girl wasn’t intimidated by the ordinance, delivering a speech whose video she posted on her Instagram. In the speech, she noted how the world was becoming afraid of people who are different and called on people to respect the gay community and afford them the same rights and treat them with respect, tolerance, compassion, and love.
The Advocate recounts that even before the speech, Madonna’s St. Petersburg concert was already drawing attention from threatening elements in Russian society. The singer’s support of the feminist punk-rock collective Pussy Riot resulted in a terrorist threat, with the American Embassy in Russia even cautioning concerns and asking them to ensure their personal safety.
After the concert, Madonna was sued for $10.7 million by a number of groups because of her pro-gay speech. A Russian official also derided her support of Pussy Riot and labeled her a “moralizing slut.”
While that lawsuit was dismissed by the Russian courts on the grounds that minors were not allowed to attend her concert, Madonna has claimed in a recent tweet that she was also fined $1 million for the speech. The songstress also revealed that she never paid the fine.
Fans were quick to heap praise under Madonna’s tweet, with one saying Madonna was brave, bold, and courageous. Another said nobody has fought harder than Madonna, while another called her principled stand as one of the reasons why fans love her.
While Madonna has received love from the LGBTQ community for this revelation, the same can’t be said for 54-year-old author J.K. Rowling, whose recent transphobic remarks drew the ire of the internet. What made things worse was Rowling even doubling down on her stand.
Rowling has recently been under fire for an essay she wrote defending her transphobia because it either did not cite any sources to support her arguments or only used research that have been deemed “deeply flawed” by other researchers.