Madonna has spoken out against Pussy Riot’s conviction after their pro-gay, anti-Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral.

The three members of the band, Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were sentenced to two years in prison for ‘hooliganism’.

The pop star released a statement yesterday (18 August) condemning the Russian punk band’s conviction, and urged other artists to speak out for the band.

Three members of Russian female punk band Pussy Riot have been found guilty of 'religious hooliganism' for staging an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s central Orthodox cathedral.

Russian president Vladimir Putin says Russian punk trio Pussy Riot should not face tough sentencing for their pro-gay protest in Moscow.

The female musicians are on trial over hooliganism charges after a video of their anti-Putin song appeared online.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused on the grounds of ‘religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox church.

Three members of Russian female punk band Pussy Riot pleaded not guilty to 'religious hooliganism' as the trial into an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights began.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox church.

Government and Opposition MPs have called on the Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, to declare a definite position on gay rights, despite her public comments on the issue earlier this year.

Opposition MP Bhofal Chambers demanded that Johnson-Sirleaf provide a clear position on the issue at an event formalizing the Liberian Parliament’s Fellowship of Christian Lawmakers.

At the event Liberian MPs denounced same-sex marriage as ‘immoral,’ citing the story of Sodom and Gomorrah from the Bible.

Have you ever had a crush on a politician? Well Justin Brown, or ‘Obama Boy’, has seen his YouTube video go viral, chanting his love for the US president:

‘You let us serve openly in the military. I'm so jealous of the first lady.

‘Gay marriage will soon be the norm. It makes me shiny and warm.

‘You support me unlike the right. You're my rainbow colored knight.’

Maybe it’s the president’s repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or maybe his recent endorsement of gay marriage: that’s why Justin Brown is becoming a new star of the social media.

Sergey Kondrashov is a straight attorney who was arrested for holding up a gay rights banner in Saint Petersburg, Russia, two weeks ago.

He was charged with the promotion and propaganda of homosexuality under a new law that officially prevents the ‘propaganda of homosexuality to minors.’ Kondrashov was also charged with disobeying a police officer.

On Monday (23 April), he was found guilty only of the latter charge with the judge in the case citing a lack of evidence, and protocols.

Russia’s leading gay activist has filed a lawsuit against a St. Petersburg politician who has accused him of accepting financing from overseas for gay rights campaigns.

Nikolai Alekseev is claiming a million roubles (€25,800, $33,800) in a defamation lawsuit against Vitaly Milonov, the United Russia party deputy and author of the controversial St Petersburg act that prohibits ‘the promotion of homosexuality to minors’ which has now been signed into law.

From teenage princess to queen, Cecil Beaton photographed Elizabeth II over three decades and his unrivalled access to the British monarch is explored in a major new exhibition.

A timeline of the gay photographer's portraits of Her Royal Highness go on show at London's V&A Museum this week to commemorate her diamond jubilee.

Pope Benedict XVI remarks this week that gay marriage threatens 'the future of humanity itself' is drawing strong reactions from various television personalities.

The ladies of ABC's The View were among those who challenged the comments from the leader of the Roman Catholic Church made at The Vatican Monday during a New Year address to diplomatic corps from about 180 countries.