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Los Angeles - Selena Gomez has been denied a visa for entry into Russia.
The Come And Get It hitmaker was set to perform two concerts in the country as part of her Stars Dance tour but was reportedly not granted documentation for entry since she supports gay rights which is in contradiction to the country's new anti-homosexual law.
Gay rights activist John Becker, who started a Change.org campaign titled "Selena Gomez: Speak Out For Equality in Moscow and St. Petersburg" asked the brunette beauty to speak out for the gay community when she performed, and believes the former communist country has denied her entry to avoid embarrassment.
He told E! News: "This cancellation of Selena Gomez's visa shows that the Russian government is sensitive and on the defence, and shows that the pressure from people all around the world and the backlash against these laws is strong.
"They're afraid to have someone like Selena Gomez come in and potentially use her platform to advance LGBT rights."
Propaganda
Selena was scheduled to take to the stage at the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg on 23 September and perform in the Russian capital Moscow two days later.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law in June which prohibits any "propaganda" that promotes "non-traditional sexual relations" and has led to the arrest of several lesbian and gay activists.
The law has been made as part of an effort to promote traditional Russian values instead of Western liberalism, which has been deemed to be a corrupting influence on the country's youth by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Numerous pop stars have been outspoken on the treatment of the homosexuality community in Russia including Lady Gaga, Madonna and Cher.
The Come And Get It hitmaker was set to perform two concerts in the country as part of her Stars Dance tour but was reportedly not granted documentation for entry since she supports gay rights which is in contradiction to the country's new anti-homosexual law.
Gay rights activist John Becker, who started a Change.org campaign titled "Selena Gomez: Speak Out For Equality in Moscow and St. Petersburg" asked the brunette beauty to speak out for the gay community when she performed, and believes the former communist country has denied her entry to avoid embarrassment.
He told E! News: "This cancellation of Selena Gomez's visa shows that the Russian government is sensitive and on the defence, and shows that the pressure from people all around the world and the backlash against these laws is strong.
"They're afraid to have someone like Selena Gomez come in and potentially use her platform to advance LGBT rights."
Propaganda
Selena was scheduled to take to the stage at the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg on 23 September and perform in the Russian capital Moscow two days later.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law in June which prohibits any "propaganda" that promotes "non-traditional sexual relations" and has led to the arrest of several lesbian and gay activists.
The law has been made as part of an effort to promote traditional Russian values instead of Western liberalism, which has been deemed to be a corrupting influence on the country's youth by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Numerous pop stars have been outspoken on the treatment of the homosexuality community in Russia including Lady Gaga, Madonna and Cher.
