Singer Sam Smith declines gigs in Russia over country's anti-gay rights law
The 22-year-old 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker, who came out gay last year.
Singer Sam Smith says he will never going to perform in Russia because of the anti-gay rights law in the country. A federal law criminalising the distribution of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) 'propaganda' among minors was enacted as an amendment to an existing child protection law in Russia two years back.
The 22-year-old 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker, who came out gay last year, said in the past he has refused numerous invitations to perform in Russia, reported the Rolling Stones.
"I don't hate Russia, but I just will never go to Russia (because) what they do to gay people there is just disgusting and it makes me very angry. I've even said, no matter how many billions of pounds you could offer me, I just couldn't, which makes me sad because I have Russian fans. They contact me on Twitter, it makes me sad," he said.