17 February,2014 08:36 AM IST | | Agencies
The singer posted a picture on her social media account wearing a hat with the logo P6 a campaign that aims to challenge Russia's crackdown on gay rights
Rihanna back Sochi gay rights campaign
Sochi: Pop star Rihanna is adding major star power to the campaign for gay rights in Russia. The singer tweeted a photo of herself wearing a hat emblazoned with P6, short for Principle 6. The campaign speaks out against Russia's anti-gay propaganda law as the nation hosts the Winter Olympics.
Rihanna has added her support to the gay rights campaign after wearing the hat. Pic/Instagram
It takes its name from the sixth of seven âfundamental principles' listed in the International Olympic Committee's charter. The charter says: "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement."
Rihanna has 34 million followers on Twitter. The photo links to her Instagram account, which has about 12 million followers. In subsequent tweets, she posted links to other articles highlighting the issue. Equality group All Out tweeted the singer back.
"Whoah. Thank you @rihanna for standing up for #P6 and equality at the Olympics!" the group posted. Gay Australian Olympian Belle Brockhoff also tweeted thanks to Rihanna before competing in snowboard cross on Sunday. "OMG NO WAY!" said Brockhoff.
Facing the heat
Russia has faced criticism for its policies involving homosexuality leading up to the Olympics in Sochi. In June, its parliament passed a law that makes it illegal to tell children about gay equality. The international community has widely criticised the law as archaic and discriminatory.
And last week, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree banning foreign same-sex couples from adopting Russian children. The move also bans singles from countries where same-sex marriages are legal from adopting Russian children.
