Putin 'not prejudiced' – he has gay friends and likes Elton John
Russian president attempts to appease Western media over new laws against gay propaganda

VLADIMIR PUTIN has claimed that he is "not prejudiced in any way", praising Elton John and insisting he has gay friends.
The Russian president has faced criticism over the country's new laws against gay propaganda, with calls from some critics to boycott next month's Sochi Winter Games.
In a charm offensive, Putin spoke to Western reporters attempting to assure them that Russian laws present "no danger" to gay people.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in Russia, unlike in one third of the world's countries, being gay is not a crime. So there is no danger for people of this non-traditional sexual orientation to come to the Games," he said.
Putin tried to insist that the new law is not discriminatory and is "only" about restricting the "propaganda of paedophilia and homosexuality" among children. He described Elton John as an "extraordinary person, a distinguished musician" and said that "millions of our people sincerely love him, despite his sexual orientation".
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, he added: "If you want my personal attitude, I would tell you that I don't care about a person's sexual orientation. I myself know some people who are gay – we are on friendly terms. I am not prejudiced in any way."
Perhaps the interpreters misheard, suggests the Daily Telegraph, as on Friday Putin was seen telling gay people to "leave the children alone".
In The Guardian, Barbara Ellen describes Putin's words as "simultaneously offensive, ridiculous and manipulative". Attacking gay "propaganda" rather than actual gayness is "a reeking red herring", she says, and "just as insidious was Putin's oh-so-casual linking of homosexuality to paedophilia, as if it were perfectly reasonable to bracket them".
Putin's instinctive link between homosexuality and paedophilia is an "old chestnut", says Libby Purves in The Times, and "a moment's reflection shows how unfair it is".
She points to statistics that suggest the most enthusiastic predators on children are "hetero all the way" and highlights countries in which underage girls are forced to marry to middle-aged men.
The Telegraph speaks to one of the first people to fall foul of Russia's new law. Dmitry Isakov was convicted, fined and lost his job after standing in a street with a placard calling for freedom for the gays and lesbians of Russia. He sheds light on the real implications of the legislation. "It sends a signal that says gays are people you can fine, who you can insult, who you can maybe even beat up," he says.
And the right to fight against such discrimination is also banned. "It effectively strips gays of the right to fight back against discrimination with public protest," says Isakov, "a right which any minority should have – it is very likely to lead to attitudes becoming even more hard line."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump tariffs: five scenarios for the world's economy
The Explainer A US recession? A trade war with China? How 'Liberation Day' could realign the globe
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Warfare: an 'honest' account of brutal engagement in Iraq
The Week Recommends Alex Garland's film focuses on the 'overwhelming, sensory journey' of conflict
By The Week UK Published
-
Is This Working?: a 'strangely gripping' look at British working life
The Week Recommends Author Charlie Colenutt weaves an 'utterly fascinating and thoroughly depressing' history of jobs
By The Week UK Published
-
Did Vladimir Putin just play Donald Trump?
Today's Big Question The Russian president rejected a full ceasefire after long conversation with his US counterpart
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Is Donald Trump a Russian agent?
The Explainer 'We have to consider the possibility that President Trump is a Russian asset' former Tory minister Graham Stuart tweeted last week. Do we?
By The Week UK Published
-
How feasible is a Ukraine ceasefire?
Today's Big Question Kyiv has condemned Putin's 'manipulative' response to proposed agreement
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump and Putin: Not a hoax
Feature Trump is pulling the U.S. closer to Russia, undoing decades of diplomacy
By The Week US Published
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The West's response has become critical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Donald Trump's foreign policy: a gift to China?
Talking Point Trump's projection of raw, unfocused power is fuelling the sense that his America is to be feared, even by its allies
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump sides with Russia on Ukraine war anniversary
Speed Read The president's embrace of the Kremlin is a reversal of American policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published