RUSSIAN POP STAR LAZAREV CONDEMNS GAY PRIDE VIOLENCE

RUSSIAN POP STAR LAZAREV CONDEMNS GAY PRIDE VIOLENCE

LATEST: Russian pop star/actor SERGEY LAZAREV has leaped to the defence of victims of Moscow's ill-fated Gay Pride Parade, calling for greater tolerance in his native country. Former Right Said Fred stars Richard and Fred Fairbrass were assaulted, among others, at the event last month (26-27May07) when their march was intercepted by a mob of homophobic extremists. Egg-throwers also pelted Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina from Russian pop group T.A.T.u, who have since publicly condemned the way the incident was handled by local authorities. Now their chart rival Lazarev has added his voice to the controversy, demanding Russians show greater respect to the gay community. He says, "I can't believe people acted how they did. "Gay people are normal people, just a little different. Russians should be more understanding. "I guess the country just needs time."