Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov blasts Russia over gay persecution

Former principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov has blasted his former homeland Russia over its persecution of LGBT people

16 October 2013 | By Andrew Potts

Photo by Knight Foundation

Mikhail Baryshnikov, former principal dancer with Russia’s Kirov Ballet, has blasted his former homeland over its treatment of LGBT people in a statement released by the No More Fear Foundation.
‘My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues and friends and any discrimination and persecution of gay people is unacceptable,’ the 65-year-old dancer and actor wrote.
‘Equal treatment of people is a basic right and it is sad that we still have to even speak about this in [the] 21st century.’
‘I salute [the] No More Fear Foundation for stepping in so quickly to provide the much necessary assistance to gay and lesbian people who are fleeing prosecution [in Russia] and help[ing] them lead a proud life in their new country.’
The New York based No More Fear Foundation is a not-for-profit organization supported by prominent members of the New York City legal, financial, business and entertainment communities that provides a lifeline to resettlement services to LGBT Russian individuals, couples and their families seeking refuge and asylum in the United States.
Russia has passed a law banning the so-called propaganda of homosexuals to minors which effectively outlaws any public positive action or expression around LGBT people and their rights, and there have been a series of homophobic murders and attacks on LGBT people in the Russian Federation.
Baryshnikov, born to Russian parents in Latvia, defected from the Soviet Union to Canada in 1974