Local residents protest against the band’s concert in the town of Nazran, calling the musicians gays who promote homosexuality.
Young people in Nazran, Ingushetia, tore down a poster of German band Bad Boys Blue. They considered the word ‘blue’ in the band’s name to be a reference to the musicians’ homosexuality, as the word ‘blue’ (‘goluboy’ in Russian) means ‘gay’ in slang.
Concert organisers had to explain to local residents that the musicians are not homosexuals and do not promote homosexuality. Igor Senger, producer of Bad Boys Blue’s vocalist Kevin McCoy, released a video to comment on the situation.
The trend towards social conservatism and family values is on the rise in Ingushetia and in Russia in general. Ingushetia’s dominant religion is Islam, where same-sex relations are strictly forbidden. The topic is especially sensitive in the North Caucasus region. In early April, the world was shocked with the news about tortures and murders of gays in Chehcnya, Ingushetia’s neighbouring region. Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta conducted an investigation, exposing evidence of witch-hunt on gays and concentration camps for homosexuals.
The concert of Bad Boys Blue in Nazran is scheduled for May 6.
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