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Putin insists gay people are in 'no danger' in Russia
Russia's law banning gay "propaganda" does not harm anybody and there is "no danger" for homosexual competitors or spectators at the forthcoming Winter Olympics, Vladimir Putin told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show.
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Putin: Elton John is 'an extraordinary person'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said musician Elton John is "an extraordinary person" as he defended his country's stance on homosexuality ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, during an interview with BBC1's Andrew Marr Show.
Mr Putin said: "Read our law carefully - and pay attention to its name. It's called a 'ban on the propaganda of paedophilia and homosexuality'. There are countries, including in Europe, where they're debating the possibility of legalising paedophilia. Publicly discussing this, in parliament.
"They can do what they want, but the people of Russia have their own cultural code, their own traditions.
"It seems to me that the law we adopted doesn't harm anybody. What's more, homosexual people can't feel inferior here, because there is no professional, career or social discrimination against them.
"When they achieve great success, for example Elton John - he's an extraordinary person, a distinguished musician, and millions of our people sincerely love him, regardless of his sexual orientation."
Vladimir Putin: 'No danger' for gay people in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said there is "no danger" for homosexual competitors or spectators at the forthcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi and the country's law banning gay "propaganda" does not harm anybody.
There has been an international backlash over the law and high-profile calls for a boycott of the Sochi games in protest at the legislation.
In an interview on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, the Russian premier said: "We have recently passed a law prohibiting propaganda, and not of homosexuality only, but of homosexuality and child abuse, child sexual abuse.
"But this is nothing to do with persecuting individuals for their sexual orientation. There's a world of difference between these things.
"So there's no danger for individuals of this non-traditional sexual orientation, who are planning to come to the Games as visitors, or participants."