Cher Turned Down Olympics Gig Because of Russia's 'Gay Hate'

[William769]

Not that LGBT people needed another reason to love Cher, but there is one — she turned down a chance to give the opening performance at the upcoming Olympics in Russia because of all the “gay hate” there.

“I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show,” she told Canadian newsmagazine Maclean’s. “I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.”

In the wide-ranging interview, she discussed how the treatment she and former husband Sonny Bono received made her empathize with other outsiders, and she also noted her support for her transgender son, Chaz Bono.

“People hated Sonny and I in the early days because we looked and acted so different,” she said. “Sonny was always getting into fights — people would called him ‘fag’ and he’d get his nose broken — only because we were dressing different. And these were our street clothes!”

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/09/13/cher-turned-down-olympics-gig-because-russias-gay-hate

[spanone]

1. k&r...

[NYC_SKP]

2. Excellent!

Fuck them.

Love her.

[William769]

7. ...

[ismnotwasm]

3. Right on Cher!

She's always been a straight talker. This is the RIGHT thing to do IMO

[William769]

5. Yes it is.

[HappyMe]

4. Good.

[William769]

9. This has nothing to do with Syria.

But keep trying to deflect you might one day achieve your goal.

[joshcryer]

14. cher isn't selling arms to Syria

[William769]

15. Just love.

[Turborama]

21. That has got nothing to do with this...

(Warning, very disturbing footage in the 1st 30 seconds)

[Behind the Aegis]

37. Thank you!

[William769]

38. What BTA said.

[joeybee12]

8. KNR

[William769]

13. ...

[Pretzel_Warrior]

10. One can almost forgive her for helping start the autotune craze

[Wilms]

48. I can almost forgive you for posting that video.

[Safetykitten]

11. Good for her! Love her!

[William769]

12. Always got to have me some cher!

[Bluenorthwest]

16. Boycotting is catching on.

Of course Obama is against boycott. Of course.

[msanthrope]

55. The United States boycotting the Olympics really puts it on the back of the

athletes, though. Why don't we all agree to boycott the corporate sponsors?

[Bluenorthwest]

59. I don't find the attention and profit needs of 'athletes' to be good reason to

do this. I thought they all loved their sports, no one is stopping them from excellence, they are not owed stardom and millions. Would these 'athletes' compete next to slave auctions? Death camps? Have they no limits to their diva like demands?

[William769]

60. Boycotting the Olympics would take care of the latter.

[Sissyk]

17. Love love love, Cher!

Good for her. This is the right thing for her to do.

Thanks, William!

[William769]

18. Your welcome.

[Bennyboy]

19. HUH? Why would CHER be asked to play at the Olympics in Russia

Something not right there, Countries tent to stick with native performers and artists for the Olympics...... And it would seem highly unlikely that CHER's attraction to the worldwide gay community would have been overlooked by the people booking the performers.

I am calling bullshit on this.

[hardcover]

27. Agree

It's fishy.

[leftstreet]

28. Apparently a friend asked her, not the Olympics people

a rich 'oligarch' friend

[2ndAmForComputers]

30. For the same reason Rush the Mad Pig wanted Elton John, I guess.

[MattSh]

31. Yep, I call bullshit too.

I've been living over here for eight years, and I doubt 1% of the population here knows or cares who Cher is.

Russia has enough stars of it's own without having to import some American star who hasn't had a hit in two decades.

[Lucinda]

40. Actually, she's had several hits in the last 20 years.

[Bluenorthwest]

54. She played three dates in Russia in 2004, Mocow State Kremlin Palace

holds 6000 and Ice Palace St Petersburg which hold 12,000.

[Saviolo]

32. Not always

Remember Celine Dion sang at the opening of the Atlanta Olympics. Normally they try to get someone local, but not always.

[Bennyboy]

34. The Canadian/American culture line is blurred

with many Canadians enjoying more success in the US than in their home countries. (Still sucked though).

Russian culture is very different than US culture. Celine Deon was a US superstar. Is Cher even an anyone in Russia?

[Journeyman]

43. It was the first thought I had as well . . .

Seems like Cher's trying to catch a ride on the "Relevant Line."

[grantcart]

65. I agree. Seems fishy. I understand Cliffordu has decline to appear as well.

[Beaverhausen]

53. Gotta agree. Doesn't make any sense at all

[LittleBlue]

56. Agreed

She won't name names because it never happened. Felt good reading the headline, but laughed as soon as I saw "my big oligarch friend".

What a joke.

[derby378]

61. Because nothing screams "Russian Olympics" quite like a performance by Cher

That said, I still feel it was a mistake for London to make the Spice Girls part of its closing ceremonies last year...

[Posteritatis]

63. The IOC isn't exactly legendary for its gentle support of local culture (nt)

[DevonRex]

20. Good for her!

She's a great mother as well as a star. And she likes Pink!! That song blew me away. I called my boys in and played it for them. We've been fans ever since.

Thank you for the news. We need to keep this issue in the spotlight. Did you see they really are debating taking children away from LGBT couples on Russia now? I hope everyone is getting out. I hope the US is offering asylum since the parents can be jailed.

[Tveil]

58. She was a crappy mother according to Chaz's book n/t

[Turborama]

22. K&R!

[Lee-Lee]

23. Good for her

Going to put her in the playlist today!

[Politicub]

24. K&r!

[JustAnotherGen]

25. Good for Cher!

That's her child that Russia is talking about. Just because we grow up doesn't mean our mom's put away their Mama Bear instincts. Good for her!

[Little Star]

26. Good on Cher!!!!!!! k&r

[raouldukelives]

29. Awesome! Hopefully other pro-LGBT Americans & athletes will follow suit. nt

[Starry Messenger]

33. k&r

[Cha]

35. I've always loved Cher, too! Just another

reason.. thank you, William!

Good for her.. the more stand up against Russia's "Gay Hate".. the Better!

[William769]

36. Just think where drag would be without her!

[rl6214]

39. Good for her

[sheshe2]

41. Good on Cher!

Love her.

William~

[Ohio Joe]

42. Good

[rhett o rick]

44. I think that's wonderful. But I wonder why you and others in the "Obama Group"

ignore posts like these:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023661805

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662504

These are among the most popular threads and yet those of the "Obama Group" ignore them. Maybe busy looking for dirt on Greenwald.

[William769]

45. Hate to burst your bubble Skippy but

This has Nothing to do With President Obama or Greenwald. It has to do with the abuses being hurled at the LGBT community and I feel sorry for you not being able to see that (or just maybe it's because you don't want to see it.

Have a nice day.

[Behind the Aegis]

46. Hmmm.did someone lose their keys?

Quick...LOOK OVER THERE!

Some people!

ETA(sk): Are we being uppity again?! I forget.

[William769]

47. Apparently he does not know how to use the search feature.

If he did he would be wiping the egg off his face right now. Yes I have been supportive of President Obama and yes when need be I have taken him to task (as many of President Obama supporters will attest to).

[Chiennoir54]

49. That'll show the Russians!

Cher belongs in a retirement home. Does anyone imagine not having Cher lip synch at some hideous Olympic musical event is going to disappoint anyone?

[Are_grits_groceries]

50. Ya know?

Cher has been a staunch supporter of gay rights for decades.
So you can take your nasty snark and choke on it.
I would support her music career whether I liked her music or not. I do like a lot of it.

And that sound you hear is the real point of ths move sailing waaay over your head. A principled stand by her matters. It matters to the LGBT community and others whether you care or not.

[William769]

52. Sing it to me! Bring it on home.

[gopiscrap]

51. Good for Cher!

[Daniel537]

57. Good move.

Maybe some of the Putin apologists here in the US can get together and offer their services to "Mother Russia"?

[William769]

64. ...

[davidpdx]

62. Good for her

I can only hope any other performer that is asked will have the integrity to say no as well. At this rate they may need to beg Lindsey Lohan to do it.