Metropolitan Opera 2013-14 Season Greeted With Gay Rights Protests

The Metropolitan Opera season opened its 2013-14 season to a number of protests.

After the Met Orchestra played the national anthem and conductor Valery Gergiev stepped up to the podium, the first sound was not of an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's beloved score. Instead, the first sound of the night was of a man protesting in Family Circle. The man yelled "Anna, your silence is killing Russian gays! Valery, your silence is killing Russian gays!"

The protesters was quickly greeted with boos and some of applause by the audience.

The man was quickly escorted out of the Met by security guards and then another gentleman started yelling in his stead. He was also escorted out moments later; a total of four protesters were walked out of the auditorium.  

Once the protesters were kicked out, the performance began as planned.

However, this was not the only sign of political unease during the evening. At the glamorous red carpet a picketing line was organized with a 50-foot rainbow flag that said "Support Gay Rights." A number of gay rights activists also walked with signs that said "Netrebko Betrays Gay fans," "We dedicate this gala to Russia's Queers" and "Homophobia Not Welcome in America." Additionally protesters handed out flyers advocating for the LGBT community.

In August, the Met was with petitioned to get Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev fired from the Opera Company because they were supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally the petition asked general manager Peter Gelb to dedicate the performance to the Russian Gays.

Gelb declined on Sept. 22 when he released a press statement that said it was inappropriate for an opera house to enter into politics.

Netrebko had already spoken out about the situation by a releasing a statement on Facebook that said "As an artist, it is my great joy to collaborate with all of my wonderful colleagues-regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. I have never and will never discriminate against anyone."

However, Gergiev declined to give a statement.