Ricky Martin, Perez Hilton Join Human Rights Campaign To Protest Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws

Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, gossip blogger Perez Hilton, and actor Jonathan Del Arco, among other celebrities, will wear Russian-language "Love Conquers Hate" T-shirts in support of the LGBT community in Russia, Fox News Latino reported.

The initiative was launched by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trasgender Americans, which has more than 1.5 million members and supporters across the U.S

As part of the "Love Conquers Hate" campaign, celebrities will share pictures of themselves wearing the T-shirts on their social media pages, encouraging their followers and fans to do the same.

According to Fox News Latino, all proceeds from T-shirts sales will support gay rights efforts in Russia.

"We stand with Russia's LGBT community and their allies," said HRC President Chad Griffin, as quoted by Fox News. "We are committed to doing as much as we possibly can to support their efforts to repeal this heinous law."

Other celebrities have joined the campaign, and it's a notable list that features Kristen Bell, Kelly Osbourne, Ana Matronic, Jaime Lee Curtis, country singer Maggie Rose, Megan Rapinoe, Anthony Bourdain, Kevin Bacon, Jonah Hill, singer Fergie , Tim Gunn, Amanda Leigh Dunn, NBA basketball player Jason Collins, and more.

The Russian new law that bans pro-gay "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors" has been criticized around the world after it was made law in June this year. The media has reported crimes that have been motivated by homophobia, as well as the arrest of gay rights activists, and crimes committed by neo-Nazi groups against gay minors.

Back in September, singer and actress Selena Gomez was denied her Russian Visa and had to cancel her concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow, according to E! News. Promoters of the show told The Moscow Times that Russian authorities turned down her visa request, because they have tightened travel restrictions for performers who speak out against the new anti-gay legislation.

The "Stars Dance" singer was due to perform in St. Petersburg's Ice Palace and Moscow's Olimiisky stadium at two separate shows in September.