Madonna Booed for Backing Gypsies

Pop star incites controversial response when she speaks out against discrimination of Roma people during Bucharest concert

By Gina Serpe Aug 27, 2009 2:47 PMTags

When in Romania…whatever you do, don't mention the Gypsies.

Never one to bite her tongue, Madonna incited booing—and, to be fair, a smattering of polite applause and cheers—at a concert in Bucharest last night after she paused midway through the show in an attempt to preach the importance of loving thy neighbor to the 60,000-strong Romanian crowd.

Madonna took time out from the concert to address the discrimination the country, and Eastern Europe in general, exhibit against Gypsies, or as they're also known, Roma, the region's most socially and economically disadvantaged minority.

Madonna told the crowd the discrimination made her "very sad, especially because we don't believe in discrimination against anyone."

"We believe in freedom and equal rights for everyone, right? Gypsies, homosexuals, people who are different; everyone is equal and should be treated with respect, OK? Let's not forget that."

Hardly seems a controversial point, but when Madonna's the one making it, anything's possible.

As it happens, there's probably more controversy where that came from. The star, who's traveling with daughters Mercy and Lourdes, will next stop in Sofia, Bulgaria, Saturday night. Earlier this week, officials from the Orthodox Church encouraged fans to boycott the show due to Madonna's "disrespect" for their religious rituals.

Sometimes, you just can't win.

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No matter what response Madonna gets on the road, she's got her girls to go home to at night. Check out other cozy star clans in our Famous Families gallery.