Controversy arose last week when it was reported that Yulia Volkova, one half of Russian band t.A.T.u had appeared on television declaring she would condemn her son if she found out he was gay., because God created man for procreation.
Now Volkova’s band mate Lena Katina has released a statement on her Facebook saying her position is different to that of Volkova.
Hey, all! I am seeing some comments lately regarding my position about LGBT and my religion. I can say one thing: God is teaching us to live in love, to be tolerant and not to judge other people!
“And I do so! Love is love and it is a wonderful feeling! I think everybody should be free to love who they love and be with who they want to spend their life with! Xoxo.”
In the interview Volkova was asked whether she would accept or condemn her son if he turned out to be gay, and she said she would not accept a gay son. The statement has struck some as hypocritical considering t.A.T.u.’s reputation for feigning lesbianism.
“I think for men it’s a bad freedom,” she replied.
“In our time, there is a very large number of frivolous girls (and a man can be with a large number of these girls). This is freedom for men.
“And a man has no right to be a fag. Two girls together – not the same thing as the two men together. It seems to me that lesbians look aesthetically much nicer than two men holding their hands or kissing.
“But! I want to say that I’m not against gays, I just want my son to be a real man, not a fag.
“I have many gay friends. I believe that being gay is all still better than murderers, thieves or drug addicts. If you choose out of all this, being gay a little better than the rest.”
t.A.T.u. became well known following the release of their song ‘All the Things She Said’. The video attracted controversy because it featured the two singers dressed as schoolgirls and kissing in the rain. The bands follow up single was a cover of The Smith’s song ‘How Soon Is Now’, The Smith’s lead singer Morrisey is a long standing queer icon.
Read Sophie Joske’s opinion piece on the t.A.T.u controversy.
