Elton wants gay debate with Putin: Singer says he wants to meet Russian president to challenge his stance on homosexuality
- Pop star has accused the Russian president of saying 'stupid things'
- Included time Putin warned gay people at Sochi to 'leave children in peace'
- Russia passed law banning gay 'propaganda' among children in June 2013
- Elton said Mr Putin's attitude to gay people was 'isolating and prejudiced'
Sir Elton John has said he wants to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia's 'ridiculous' stance on gay rights.
The pop star accused the Russian president of saying 'stupid things', such as when he warned gay people travelling to the Winter Olympics to 'leave the children in peace'.
Russia passed a law banning homosexual 'propaganda' among children in June 2013, sparking an international outcry.
Scroll down for video
Sir Elton John has said he wants to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia's 'ridiculous' stance on gay rights
The country has also banned same-sex marriage, and opposes support for equal rights for homosexuals.
Sir Elton said Mr Putin's attitude to gay people was 'isolating and prejudiced' and 'ridiculous'.
Speaking to the BBC, he added: 'I would like to meet (Mr Putin). It's probably pie in the sky ... He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.'
Sir Elton made the remarks after speaking at a conference in neighbouring Ukraine, where he lobbied president Petro Poroshenko over gay rights.
The musician has been outspoken on the issue of gay rights. Earlier this year, he temporarily boycotted Dolce and Gabbana after the fashion designers called children conceived by IVF 'synthetic'.
He has two sons, Zachary, four, and Elijah, two, with his husband, David Furnish.
Sir Elton John has two sons, Zachary, four, and Elijah, two, with his husband, David Furnish (pictured together)
- GRAPHIC: Footage shows pit-bulls viciously attack man
- Students catch amazing Grand Canyon views from balloon
- Topless Femen activists storm stage at Muslim conference
- Quiznos Burn Trials: Out of the Maze and into the Playa
- GRAPHIC: Jailhouse beating of terror suspect Carlos Larmond
- Bride puts a spell on her groom during first dance
- Woman pummels topless worker in Times Square
- The moment the crane collapses at Mecca's Grand Mosque
- Wanted: Portland police officer's cat AKA 'Kleptokitty'
- Hundreds of refugees continue to arrive at Munich train...
- Footage shows rumbling seconds before deadly Mecca crane...
- Woman punches 10-year-old in the face in a Bronx bodega
- 'We can't take any more!' Germany stops ALL trains from...
- 'I think I'm going to die': Man, 62, tells of horrifying...
- Three brothers are shot dead on a Louisiana driveway after...
- EXCLUSIVE: Staggering treasure trove of paintings discovered...
- Heartbreaking scenes in California as 400 homes are wiped...
- The hipster takeover: Before-and-after photos show how...
- Twitter backlash for Entourage star Adrian Grenier over his...
- Outrage as black woman was 'forced to spend eight days in a...
- 'It was super twisted': Former high school student claims...
- The salary you'll need to earn to buy a home in 27 cities:...
- Sotheby billionaire's widow is locked out of her Mayfair...
- EXCLUSIVE: How Caitlyn Jenner's BFF Candis Cayne went from a...