Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, visits a farm in the Rostov region, Russia, Thursday. After the meeting, he called Elton John. (Alexei Nikolsky/RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
British star Elton John says he looks forward to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss gay rights in the country. (Photo by David Shankbone/CCA 3.0)
Musician Michael Stipe, shown here in 2014, and Elton John are calling for the equal rights of transgender inmates in a statement released Tuesday. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Elton John performs at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 13th Annual "An Enduring Vision" benefit at Cipriani's Wall Street on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)