MADONNA & KATY PERRY HIGHLIGHT “GAY PROPAGANDA”

Katy Perry has chosen a public service announcement (PSA) video opposing Russia’s “gay propaganda” law to include in Madonna’s #ArtForFreedom project.

Perry was chosen by the Material Girl as the January guest curator for the campaign, which aims “to fuel free speech – to respond, address and protest persecution and discrimination around the world.”

Madonna’s project has received over 3,000 submissions globally via artforfreedom.com and its social media platforms since it was launched in September 2013.

Perry’s final choice for her curation was the third video in the #GayPropaganda PSA series, titled The Peace Sign.

The video hauntingly recreates one of the most iconic photographs of the struggle against state homophobia in Russia; an image of an activist being manhandled by an officer.

“Thx @Madonna for having me curate #ArtForFreedom this month! Check out my last pick, @GayPropaganda ‘The Peace Sign,‘” tweeted Perry on Friday.

This past weekend the I Kissed a Girl singer became the most followed person on Twitter, boasting more than 50 million followers.

The #GayPropaganda campaign “seeks to redefine ‘gay propaganda’ by asking LGBT communities and their allies around the world: What does #GayPropaganda look like to you?

“I am so fortunate to have the freedom to express myself through music,” said Perry. “I believe that 2014 can be a year of great social change. Together we can all stand up for human rights. Join the conversation, and let your art be your voice.”

In addition to banning Pride events, LGBT protests or demonstrations, or any other public show of support for LGBT people, activists say that Russia’s “gay propaganda” law has also emboldened homophobic groups to increasingly violently target gay and lesbian people.

Watch The Peace Sign below, as well as the two other videos in the #GayPropaganda series; The Flag and The Scream.