Miss Universe pageant decries anti-gay laws and violence in Russia but won't move from Moscow
More than 28,000 people have signed signature asking that November event be held somewhere else
The Miss Universe Organization does not approve of Russia's anti-gay
propaganda law but it is rejecting calls to move its November pageant
from Moscow.
More than 28,000 people have signed a Change.org petition which detailed recent acts of violence against LGBT people in Russia and points out that some pageant employees are no doubt gay.
In a statement this week, the pageant said it 'believes in equality for all individuals and is deeply concerned by the laws recently enacted in Russia.'
'Both the law, as well as the violence experienced by the LGBT community in Russia, are diametrically opposed to the core values of our company,' read the statement. ' Our organization has always embodied a spirit of inclusion and is a celebration of people from all countries and walks of life.'
The pageant already lost its openly gay co-host, Andy Cohen, who said he did not feel safe working in Russia in the current climate.
The pageant states that 'the safety of our contestants, staff and crew is of the utmost importance and we are working with our Russian hosts to ensure the security and well-being of those traveling to Russia for the pageant.'
More than 28,000 people have signed a Change.org petition which detailed recent acts of violence against LGBT people in Russia and points out that some pageant employees are no doubt gay.
In a statement this week, the pageant said it 'believes in equality for all individuals and is deeply concerned by the laws recently enacted in Russia.'
'Both the law, as well as the violence experienced by the LGBT community in Russia, are diametrically opposed to the core values of our company,' read the statement. ' Our organization has always embodied a spirit of inclusion and is a celebration of people from all countries and walks of life.'
The pageant already lost its openly gay co-host, Andy Cohen, who said he did not feel safe working in Russia in the current climate.
The pageant states that 'the safety of our contestants, staff and crew is of the utmost importance and we are working with our Russian hosts to ensure the security and well-being of those traveling to Russia for the pageant.'
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