A Russian court has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to sue Madonna for promoting gay rights during her 'MDNA' tour, according to reports.

In August of this year, it was reported that the singer had enraged some citizens by handing out pink anti-homophobia wristbands to crowd members during a show in St Petersburg and telling them to "fight for the right to be free". Her stunt was in response to a new regulation adopted in St Petersburg in March of this year, which saw the city's yearly gay pride parade banned as it promoted "gay lifestyles" and the "propagation of homosexuality" - both of which have now been outlawed.

A lawsuit was subsequently submitted by members of the Union of Russian Citizens, the People's Assembly and the New Great Russia party against the singer, with a lawyer for the group claiming that her actions caused "psychological stress and emotional shock" amongst the audience.

Now, according to The Times, a court in St Petersburg has given the go-ahead for the £6.5 million lawsuit to continue as the singer "crossed a line" by handing out the bracelets to "children as young as 12". Madonna did not attend the hearing and is not expected to be present at future court dates relating to the trial, either.

nme.com