Selena Gomez has cancelled several Eastern European performances on her tour after she was denied a visa by Russian authorities.
Several stops on Gomez’s “Star Dance” tour were cancelled this week. Gomez was supposed to perform in Belarus today, the Ukraine on Sept. 21, and then make two stops in Russia on Sept. 23 and 25, according to Billboard.
All four stops in Eastern Europe have been taken removed the tour events page on Gomez’s website. Her rep has also confirmed with E! News that she will not be visiting Russia.
The organizers of Gomez’s concerts have said that they believe that Russia’s new anti-gay law is one of the reasons that her visa was denied. The Russian government has been limiting travel for any performers who support and speak out for LGBTQ rights.
Just last year, other performers such as Madonna and Lady Gaga were met with controversy when they openly supported gays during their performances in Russia.
The Moscow Times reports that Russia’s anti-gay law, which was adopted this summer, bans the promotion of "nontraditional sexual relationships" to minors.
"This cancellation of Selena Gomez's visa shows that the Russian government is sensitive and on the defense, and shows that the pressure from people all around the world and the backlash against these laws is strong," US-based gay rights activist John Becker told E! in a statement. "They're afraid to have someone like Selena Gomez come in and potentially use her platform to advance LGBT rights."
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
