A famed Russian conductor is speaking out in an attempt to end protests at his concerts.

 Valery Gergiev has responded to protests at performances in New York and London by gay rights activists.

On his Facebook page Gergiev writes  “It is wrong to suggest I have ever supported anti-gay legislation, and in all my work I have upheld equal rights for all people.”

He went on to say he has colleagues from many walks of life, and many of them are his friends.

Gergiev’s response follows protests at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and The London Symphony.

An organizer of the protests says the issue is not whether Gergiev has gay friends and the objection is to his strong support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who brought in controversial anti-gay laws earlier this year.