Vladimir Putin insists he is 'not prejudiced', 'has gay friends' and likes Elton John

dailymail.co.uk ^ | January 19, 2014

[Tailgunner Joe]

Vladimir Putin has insisted he is 'not prejudiced in any way', and that he has some gay friends, amid an outcry against Russia's laws against gay 'propaganda'.

He also made efforts to praise the 'personal achievements' of gay celebrities such as Elton John, whom he called 'extraordinary'.

But the Russian leader also linked gay people to paedophiles, who are covered jointly in the controversial propaganda law, ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics, which start next month.

Despite reassuring visitors the laws present 'no danger' to them, the Russian leader still suggested there was a need to 'clean up' homosexuality in Russian order to drive up the country's birth rate, and defended the country's right to pass such a law.

In an interview broadcast amid international outrage ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics, he said: 'Read our law carefully – it’s called "a ban on the propaganda of paedophilia and homosexuality". But this is nothing to do with persecuting invididuals for their sexual orientation.'

'It seems to me that the law we adopted doesn’t harm anybody. What’s more, homosexual people can’t feel inferior here because there is no professional career or social discrimination against them.

'When they achieve great success [they are honoured] – for example Elton John is a extraordinary person, a distinguished musician, and millions of our people sincerely love him, regardless of his sexual orientation.'

In a segment later broadcast on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the president dodged a question on whether gay people are born or made.

But he did tell Andrew Marr: '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.'

[wardaddy]

Lol

This is your schtick isn’t it?

Are you Bosnian?

[a fool in paradise]

Elton John recorded radio ad for the Pink Pussycat Boutique (on WNEW). NSFW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOUEjhQFUFk

[Bigg Red]

Uh..No, thanks. I’ll pass.

[a fool in paradise]

It dates to 1980 and was presented as evidence that Elton John’s faggotry on parade is nothing new.

Also to those who play up the detail that Elton John played at Rush’s wedding. Rush is deaf. He can make out music if he already knows the song but he can’t hear new music. I doubt that Elton was performing there for Rush’s benefit. More likely it was for his wife and invited guests’ benefit.

[Bigg Red]

Okay, but I am not sure what you are trying to tell me.

If you are trying to say that Elton John’s songs are the only ones Limbaugh is really familiar with, I have to answer that that is a very weak argument. Rush and I are from the same generation, so I am betting he knows the work of many singers, and I am sure he could have found one that was not a blatant paraphiliac.

As for Rush Limbaugh’s choice of friends, from what I can, see Limbaugh is someone who has brilliant business sense. He carved out a unique niche early on and makes a lot of money by talking about conservative principles. Putting such principles into action is sometimes quite difficult....

[a fool in paradise]

I’m saying that Rush probably didn’t care WHO the entertainment was going to be since he can recognize songs but not really enjoy them much anymore.

Wedding celebrations are for the bride and friends, really.