Vladimir Putin and Elton John are apparently going to talk to each other about gay rights
Rumors have been circling for months about a possible meeting between English singer Sir Elton John and Russian President Vladimir Putin. An outspoken LGBT activist, John has reportedly tried to arrange a meeting with Putin to discuss gay rights in Russia but so far has had no luck. However, with John heading to Moscow for a concert in May, the Kremlin has announced the meeting might in fact go forward.
"When [Putin and John] spoke by telephone several months ago, they agreed... they will meet during Elton John's stay in Moscow," Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told the press.
Putin has maintained he is not prejudiced against gay people, despite Russia's strict treatment and intolerance of the LGBT community.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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