Russia Fines Gaga Promoter Over 'Gay Propaganda'

A Russian woman complained after her 13-year-old daughter attended a Lady Gaga concert in St. Petersburg last year and was subjected to "advocacy" of drinking alcohol, plus two women pretending to have sex. Sounds fairly tame when it comes to a Gaga show, but apparently not so in Russia: A St. Petersburg court decided to fine the organizers of the show for "propaganda of alcohol consumption and homosexuality," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The judge said the promoter, Planeta Plus, violated a clause in the country's administrative code meant to protect children. The company only has to pay $614, but the ruling means the original complainant can now sue Planeta Plus in criminal court for much more, arguing her daughter suffered "psychic trauma." Local media reports she is considering doing just that; she is an activist with a conservative group, RIA reports; Madonna faced a similar such lawsuit last year and Planeta Plus argues that other performers have boycotted Russia because of the laws. (More Lady Gaga stories.)