The NY Metropolitan Opera Opens with Gay Protest

The NY Times reports that Metropolitan Opera's Russian-themed opening night gala on Monday evening began with a protester criticizing the recent antigay laws signed by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. He shouted, "Putin, end your war on Russian gays!" "Anna, your silence is killing Russian gays! Valery, your silence is killing Russian gays!"

Security guards entered and four protesters in the Family Circle were asked to leave.

Queer Nation member Andrew Miller said in a statement, "We want more than platitudes from Gelb. Russian gay men and lesbians need unambiguous, unequivocal denunciations of Vladimir Putin's anti-LGBT laws, and they need high-profile Russian artists like Netrebko and Gergiev to use their influence to overturn those laws."

General Manager Peter Gelb wrote in Bloomberg this past weekend: "We respect the right of activists to picket our opening night and we realize we've provided with a platform to further raise awareness about serious human rights issues abroad ... Although Russia may officially be in denial about Tchaikovsky's sexuality, we're not. The Met is proud to present Russia's great gay composer. That is a message, in itself."