SIR Elton John spoke out about gay persecution in Russia as he performed a concert in St Petersburg and said the world would lose its "humanity" if people were punished for their sexuality.
He has previously been a critic of Russia's laws on homosexuality and made his views known while he was on stage at the city's Ice Palace last night.
His outspoken comments in St Petersburg come just days after a sculpture commemorating former Apple boss Steve Jobs which had been placed at a university campus in the city was dismantled because his successor said he is gay.
Speaking at the concert, Sir Elton said: "I'm not big on technology, but I love my iPad. They're amazing, aren't they? They way they can connect us to the things and people we love.
"How dignified that St Petersburg should erect a memorial to Steve Jobs, the remarkable founder of Apple. But last week it was labelled 'homosexual propaganda' and taken down.
"Can this be true? Steve's memory is re-written because his successor at Apple, Tim Cook, is gay? Does that also make iPads gay propaganda? Is Tchaikovsky's beautiful music 'sexually perverting'? As a gay man, I've always felt so welcome here in Russia.
"If I'm not honest about who I am, I couldn't write this music. It's not gay propaganda. It's how I express life. If we start punishing people for that, the world will lose its humanity."
In January of this year, Sir Elton wrote a letter offering to introduce Russian president Vladimir Putin to members of the gay community in his country to show the impact of "deeply divisive" legislation. It came after Mr Putin denied he was homophobic, pointing out that he had gay friends.
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