The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Elton John coverage: compare and contrast

Five years on, the Sun plays it straight.

By Jon Bernstein Published 29 December 2010 18:46

News that Elton John and David Furnish have become parents has been greeted in fairly sober fashion by most tabloid newspapers. The Sun, for example, goes with the simple "Baby joy for Elton and David" (relegated to the right-hand panel on today's front page):

But five years ago to the month, the same paper couldn't resist this unsubtle play on words when the same pair had their civil partnership:

In the intervening half-decade, has Britain become an ever more tolerant society? Or perhaps we shouldn't use the Sun as a barometer of social norms . . .

Tags: The Sun

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9 comments

Thu, 2010-12-30 10:56 — swatantra nandanwar

I think raymond sums up the view of the silent majority, and my own view, perfectly.
IVF and surrogacy should be there as the last resort for loving married couples that have for reasons not been able to produce a child, and not for gay couples. Their best solution is to adopt.

Thu, 2010-12-30 13:28 — lusina

This is stupid. Can't stomach two guys having and bringing up a child. It doesn't seem in order - nor is it as dictated by nature since beginning. Why don't they stick together and let it be? Poor child, I say. Can't imagine him having a normal life (more so since his father is so famous that he will continuously attract attention).

Thu, 2010-12-30 15:27 — Arthur O'Connor

Cant stand Elton John or his waily sounds which pass for music (music without melody as represented in X Factor screechings) and would hate to have him as a father even if he were heterosexual. Nobody seems to have thought of the sneering and sniggering that child will have to suffer in later years.

Wed, 2010-12-29 19:06 — swatantra nandanwar

The SUN has probably got it right for once in its life. The surprise news being greeted fairly 'soberly', is about the right tone to take. Lots of moral issues involved in this whole thing.

Wed, 2010-12-29 20:14 — Kevin Eadon (not verified)

I think that the only moral issues here are the fact that their new born son will have a loving and nurturing set of parents! As for the sun being a barometer for social norms! Judging by most of the xenophobic tosh they write, I'd hope not thank you very much!

Wed, 2010-12-29 21:25 — Des Demona (not verified)

'' Or, perhaps, we shouldn't use the Sun as a barometer for social norms...

Ummmm..... yep.
What a pointless frickin article.

Wed, 2010-12-29 21:28 — BarcombeBoy (not verified)

I'm surprised they didn't make something of the advanced years if at least one of the adopters.

Wed, 2010-12-29 23:55 — Orange Booker (not verified)

Can't get over the fact that Doncaster knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup quarters!!

Thu, 2010-12-30 01:10 — raymond392

I personally think it is immoral for two men to have a child by surrogacy, I think regardless of their sexuality it was never intended to be right,the way it was intended was a man and a woman to conceive a child, not using some turkey baster or other kitchen utensil. I do not think a child should be some kind of trophy just because you cant have one then you just go out and buy one. If you want to give all of this love then buy a dog not a child just because they can does not make it right. I do not see them trying to adopt a disabled child, this child has to be male, blue eyes and blonde hair, how many did they reject until they got exactly what they wanted how immoral is that. Being high profile does not justify this act in any way Michael Jackson springs to mind and Madonna for less dubious purposes never the less wrong.