Madonna Booed During Romanian Concert Over Gypsy Remark

August 28, 2009 7:13 a.m. EST

Bucharest, Romania (CNS) - Madonna's stance on equality was not warmly received in Romania. The pop superstar was booed during a concert after she mentioned discrimination of gypsies and homosexuals in the country.

She told the "Sticky and Sweet" concert crowd in Bucharest, "I've never been to Romania before and I am happy to be here."

"But I found out that there is a lot of discrimination against gypsies in Eastern Europe and that makes me very sad, especially because we believe in acceptance, gypsies, homosexuals, people that are different. Everyone must be treated the same, don't forget that!"

According to Romanian Times, instead of applause, the crowd responded with jeers and boos.

Her publicist Liz Rosenberg insisted that there were also cheers, explaining that the "Hard Candy" hitmaker has been touring with Roma musicians who told her of the discrimination toward them in several countries so she felt compelled to make a statement.

There are over half a million gypsies officially registered in Romania, although the real numbers are expected to be much more.

Madonna left the country Thursday for her next concert in Bulgaria.