Russia Announces A Ban of the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Russia’s General Prosecutor’s Office has officially banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation across the country, claiming it threatens Russia’s so-called “traditional spiritual and moral values.” The ban applies to both the U.S. and U.K.-based branches of the foundation, labeling them as “undesirable organizations.”

Accusations from the Russian Government

In a statement shared on its Telegram channel, the prosecutor’s office stated:

“When a musician plays along with the promoters of democracy, you get propaganda. And if Elton John is at the piano, it is not just anti-Russian propaganda.”

They further accused the foundation of taking part in a Western campaign to stir social tension and undermine Russian culture. “The NGOs actively participate in an information campaign orchestrated by the ‘collective West’ to discredit traditional values and escalate social tensions,” the office claimed.

The Foundation’s Global Impact

Since 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $600 million across 95 countries, according to its website. Its focus is on increasing healthcare access, ending AIDS, and breaking the stigma around the LGBTQ+ community.

But Russian authorities took specific issue with the foundation’s LGBTQ+ advocacy, stating it promotes “non-traditional sexual relationships, Western family models, and gender reassignment.” They also implied it was part of a broader Western attempt to criticize Russia, especially regarding the war in Ukraine.

Russia’s History of LGBTQ+ Crackdowns

This isn’t Russia’s first major move against LGBTQ+ organizations. In 2023, the Russian Supreme Court labeled the so-called “international LGBT movement” an “extremist organization,” banning it completely. The country has been ramping up anti-LGBTQ+ laws in recent years.

The foundation has not yet said anything about the Russian ban. But Elton John has always been very vocal about the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Talking to Radio Times in 2023 about how anti-LGBTQ+ feelings were growing, even in the U.S., he said:

“We seem to be going backwards. And that spreads. It’s like a virus that the LGBTQ+ movement is suffering.”

Even as governments push back, Elton John’s voice remains loud and clear in the fight for equality.