MSNBC personality Thomas Roberts is
defending his decision to host the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow.
Roberts, who came out gay in 2006,
married Patrick Abner in New York last year.
Pervasive anti-gay sentiment in Russia
has been codified in a recently approved law which prohibits “gay
propaganda” to minors, effectively outlawing Gay Pride parades and
all public demonstrations of support. The law's passage has provoked
worldwide outrage and calls for a boycott of Russian products and
international events taking place in the nation, including the
upcoming Winter Olympics and the Miss Universe pageant.
But Roberts has said that boycotting
would be too easy.
“Reaction has been interesting,”
Roberts said during an appearance
on MSNBC's Morning Joe. “But I think that this is a
great opportunity to showcase that I am no different from the the
other LGBT humans that live on this planet. Gay rights are human
rights, human rights are gay rights. And so, I go with my husband to
prove that.”
In remarks to gay glossy The
Advocate, he added: “I just hope people would have faith in
me. You know I feel real strongly that I've always tried to be, not
a perfect example, but a good example, of someone who can have a
wonderful professional and personal life, and trying to do the right
thing by this community.”
(Related: Donald
Trump doesn't like Russian anti-gay laws; Remains opposed to gay
marriage.)