Rammstein guitarists kiss on Moscow stage to protest anti-LGBT laws
Rammstein guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe kissing at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium (Instagram/Rammsteinofficial)
Rammstein guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe shared a kiss onstage at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in defiance of Russia’s anti-LGBT+ laws.
The kiss took place during their song “Aüslander” on Monday (July 29), a controversial act in a country which is notorious for its poor treatment of LGBT+ people and passed a “gay propaganda” law in 2003.
Under the law, foreigners can be arrested and detained for up to 15 days or fined up to 5,000 rubles, then deported.
Undeterred, the German heavy metal band proudly posted a picture of the same-sex kiss between Kruspe and Landers on their Instagram page with the caption: “Russia, we love you!”
Rammstein have never been afraid of controversy, and are using their Europe tour as a platform for supporting LGBT+ rights.
The two musicians, who are both straight, have kissed several times onstage during their ongoing tour. Fans are dubbing the pair “Paulchard.”
In response to recent anti-LGBT+ acts in Poland, the band waved Pride flags while crowd-surfing in inflatable boats at their performance in Chorzów, Poland.
Both moments prompted praise from fans, with one referring to the kiss as a “power-move” while another said it was “heartwarming” to see.
lgbt flags in poland, a mlm kiss in russia, rammstein doesn’t give a fuck and i love it
— ????? ♡ (@sparklejjong) July 30, 2019
I love this band so so much ?
Just when I thought I couldn’t love them more than I already do, here they come, waving pride flags and openly supporting LGBTQ people. Thank you Rammstein for being the most amazing human beings one could ask for! ??️?#Rammstein #Pride pic.twitter.com/PDvIBKAu7p
— Earl from Ipanema 击 (@laudadoom) July 25, 2019
The band are currently touring to promote their seventh album, titled Rammstein. They are scheduled to perform a number of dates in the UK in 2020.
