It could have been me

It's been 40 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Britain, yet around the world gay peopl

By Elton John Published 26 March 2007

On 21 December 2005 I was legally bound to the man I love, on the first day that civil partnerships were possible. It's my legal right and my human right and I wanted everyone to know - I wanted to shout about it but I still felt nervous about the public's reaction. I was, therefore, delighted and relieved on leaving the register office in Windsor to find the crowd outside cheering and supporting our union as I had feared that abusive, banner-waving bigots would try to spoil the occasion. I felt so proud that day to be British.

There has been substantial progress on gay rights in Britain, but we can't be complacent, not when homophobia still exists here and not when people around the world live in fear solely because of their sexuality. In some countries, my voice would have been drowned out - maybe even stamped out. For many, basic rights are still a matter of life and death.

There are individuals suffering because of their sexuality every day. Last year, William Hernández had a gun pressed against his neck outside the San Salvador offices of his gay rights organisation, the Asociación Entre Amigos. William and his colleagues who speak out for gay rights in El Salvador had been protesting against moves to amend the constitution formally to prevent gay marriage.

"We will kill you before you can get married," said his attacker.

The offices of Entre Amigos had been broken into and ransacked two nights before. Nothing of value had been stolen, but details of planned events were taken and written homophobic threats were left in the offices. It was the seventh such break-in in five years. These are not isolated incidents in El Salvador - attacks on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are commonplace. And those responsible are seldom brought to justice.

Men and women are persecuted and attacked every day all over the world, just because of whom they love and whom they make love to. Gay sex is criminalised in more than 80 countries.

Homophobia impacts on health education. Information that could help prevent the spread of HIV and Aids (a subject close to my heart as founder of the Elton John Aids Foundation) is suppressed, or those providing it or seeking it out are persecuted. Indeed, William and his colleagues are targeted partly because they provide sex education for gay people in El Salvador. In Uganda, a radio station was fined when one of its programmes discussed the need for HIV/Aids services for gay men. In India, people have been arrested, beaten and charged under anti-sodomy laws for giving out information on safe sex. Gay people in many African countries are at greater risk of HIV/Aids because they are less likely to receive information and treatment.

In some European countries, the bigots have a loud voice and they're not being shouted down. Pride marches are still banned in some cities in eastern Europe (including Moscow, whose mayor recently described gay parades as "satanic"); gay people in Latvia were attacked and spat at when they tried to march last year.

In September 2006, on stage in Warsaw, I decided to use a concert to make a statement about homophobia in Poland: "Twenty-two years ago I came to Gdansk and went to the home of Lech Walesa who . . . fought for freedom and his own human rights . . . and I will never ever forget that moment and to see him again tonight makes my heart full of warmth and love.

"I am just a musician. I come and I play and I hopefully make everyone's troubles disappear for a couple of hours . . . and I am also a gay man . . . and I know that in Poland recently there has been a lot of violence towards gay people . . . and I urge you . . . this is a time for compassion.

"There is enough hatred in the world. Leave gay people alone. We are just trying to be ourselves. We do not mean any harm.

"Love is what it's all about . . . and the Polish people have always been full of love."

This month I celebrate my 60th birthday. It is 40 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK, and yet it is still sadly outlawed in many parts of the world. I want to shine a spotlight on William Hernández, his colleagues and the many, many individuals who stand up for human rights around the world, at great risk to their personal safety. People like William are a lot braver than me, because when the bigots shout abuse, he shouts back at them. And the more visible he and others are, the louder their voices become. Eventually, with support, they'll shout the bigots down.

So, today, I shout out to William, a brave guy doing a dangerous and vital job. My voice has served me pretty well over the years; I hope maybe it can do him some good, too. But we need more voices. Whether the bigot is in our local pub or a thousand miles away, we should all stand up and speak out for basic human rights. I want to ask you, today, to add your voice.

Sign up to Amnesty's campaign at http://www.amnesty.org.uk/william

View the discussion thread.

12 comments

Sat, 2007-03-24 03:32 — zmartinez

That's a great idea!! Elton if you read this: I'm a straight American woman with El Salvadorean parents- an I am saddened that in the year 2007 it is still not a safe place to show love to others and to be yourself. Elton You can be just as brave as William. Take your voice around the world. I bet if you did a concert in El Salvador ( a country so small Yet with so much heart)- you would empower the men and women of that country to continue standing up for what is right and just!

Sun, 2007-03-25 20:55 — Alias

I live in Paris, and I would bring my support to everybody who fights against all the discriminations. We are all HUMANS so we have the SAME RIGHT all over the world.

The homophobia, it’s the intolerance. And the intolerance is unacceptable because the intolerance assassinate.

Think that in July 2005, two young guys were assassinated in Iran. Assassinated because they were Gay!!!! Assassinated according to some crazy religious texts. That’s a disgrace. And unfortunately, some gays are persecuted in other countries again and again.

What’s the difference between a man who LOVES a woman, or a woman who LOVES a woman or a man who LOVES a man.

There isn’t a difference, we love someone.

I stand up
aliastory@gmail.com

Mon, 2007-03-26 00:45 — claire3

I for one oppose homosexuality. As you I believe It's my legal right and my human right and I unlike yourself care very little if any of anyones opinion of my own. What I find irksome lately is the fact that the gay community is almost arrogant about their sexual orientation and insist that it's "Okay to be Gay". Whatever! I am not gay and do not go around advertising and demanding peoples opinion about my sexual choices.

My advise is. Don't have a chip on your shoulder about being gay. As the old saying in the US goes; You can please some of the people some of the time and most of the people most of the time, but not all the people all the time.

Once you learn to understand that and accept those facts yourself, which is great advise for any moral dilemmas one is experiencing! You will live yourlife to your fool potential and not put blame on society for your shortcomings.

Tue, 2007-03-27 14:22 — doubleshiny

I agree totally with the sentiment, but it rankles coming from someone who was so quick to disregard the lack of human rights for black people in South Africa during the apartheid years.

If a venue banned homosexuals, would Elton play there? No. So why did he play the whites only Sun City in 1983, therefore breaking the UN cultural sanctions against South Africa?

Tue, 2007-03-27 23:43 — Don

Right on Claire. However, I am black, of Jamaican parentage, born in the UK and these people have made me incandescent with rage in trying to lump their cause with that of people of colour.

It is both incorrect and pathetic for them to liken perceived inequality on the basis of sexual perversion with race. They have made a choice, a lifestyle choice in terms of behaviour. I have no choice therefore I am different. Completely different.

When you can physically take me to a place where wealth and prosperity have been created as a result of discrimination against perverts, you can begin to construct a case for remedial legislation.

With regards to race, where shall I begin? Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, Chester, much of London and many other places in the UK alone – if you want to take it to an international level then you will be better off naming countries that have not benefited financially, as a direct result of racial discrimination, rather than those that have.

This is a fundamental element of racism. Profit.

Was it not the case that the first thing this govt did on winning in 1997, the first! was to legalize buggery/sodomy of under-age children (16) in public places (i.e. toilets) by perverts whereas this was previously a heinous offence.

Sodomites are no different to paedophiles.

Sexual perversion is the umbrella under which sodomy and paedophilia sit right next to each other. That is the literal interpretation of perversion from the dictionary.

The recent legislative absurdities foisted upon the majority of right thinking people have turned me into a vehement anti-sodomite.

I no longer tolerate and have no intention of moderating my behaviour.

My radar is firmly fixed upon them. Sodomites, paedophiles.

I decode my kids, wider family and all and sundry from the “diversity” pap they are fed at school and elsewhere. They are continually reminded of the correct interpretation of human behaviour. Sodomy and sodomites are worse than bad, the children are next on their list of current no go areas. Beware. Take heed.

I will continue to hold my views, instil them in my children and all around me. You may legislate, but you can’t change. Never, ever.

Don, Surrey

Wed, 2007-03-28 21:28 — kirky11

Don from Surrey,
You’ll be trying to convince us that God exists next. It would appear that your views come straight from that well known work of fiction, the Bible. If you base your morals on a work of fiction then it’s not surprising that we can hear echoes of the madhouse in your ranting stream of consciousness.
I’m not a homosexual, and I don’t normally go out of my way to defend homosexuals. But, the important point is surely, bearing in mind that this is the 21st Century, any loving relationship between consenting adults is a valid relationship?

Wed, 2007-03-28 22:12 — Don

Kirky11 you are deluded. Just where did I mention the Bible?

Just because you evidently hate the Bible, don’t try and hang your views on your misrepresentation of the words I have used. Your rant has no basis in fact.

If you read my rant, you will see that my views are based on the FACT that sodomites (check the dictionary) now espouse equality on a par with people of colour. Also check Hansard for the legislative reference to the motives of this govt. Logical argument is the basis of my views. The same thing you tried to use to denounce my opinion. Anyway, I don’t care what you think. I live in the real world, not your ideological bubble.

Don

Thu, 2007-03-29 10:35 — Anna

*Sodomites are no different to paedophiles.*

Don, in claiming that all people who have anal sex are no different to paedophiles you have basically undermined any argument that you may have had. It is a startlingly ignorant generalisation and shows an unwillingness to distinguish between consenting sex and rape. Moreover you have gone out of your way to insult victims of abuse by belittling their experience. I very much hope that your children are bright enough to reject your opinions.

Sun, 2007-04-01 00:22 — Don

"....an unwillingness to distinguish between consenting sex and rape"

Too damn right!

I referred to perversion and remain correct. If these people can't distinguish between a lifestyle choice and race, why the hell should I broaden my horizons, so to speak.

As I said, I used to tolerate, but no more. The game has been raised to a completely new level and I am ahead of it. You have obviously fallen for this lilly livered diversity tripe. Me, and my family, will not.

Middle class white children rebel against their parents in the way you describe children rejecting their parents’ views. A trailerload of parents in this country have no backbone or a clue how to stand firm for what you believe. As long as the colour of my highly intelligent children remains as is they have no choice but to embrace and execute. I do not think I will have a problem however, for much of society – white, Asian, African and Barbadian - already copy all things Jamaican. My kids love the fact that they have the real thing in their house. They have a fantastic enthusiasm for Jamaican culture and music - it’s a generation thing. They will remain bright enough to recognise that people like you have no relevance.

Anna, you stay down there with the pond life, chavs, liberal intelligencia and dumb English of today.

Don