Debs
20-12-2005, 11:28
Elton John has spoken out about the struggle for equality that many gay people have to go through.
The singer explained that although his marriage to partner David Furnish will be "the happiest day of [his] life," he still feels for other couples who live in countries that prohibit homosexuality.
In The Observer, John observed: "It has been a long struggle for equal rights to gay people in Britain, but now, in the 21st century, we have real civil rights, tolerance and final acceptance in our lives.
"Next Wednesday, on the happiest day of my life, when I celebrate a civil partnership with David, I will be thinking, however, about those less fortunate than we are. In many countries, having a same-sex partner is still outlawed."
He said around 80 countries, such as Jamaica, Iraq, Poland, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates, have yet to decriminalise homosexual relations.
John added: "Throughout history, gay people such as myself and David have often been made scapegoats by those who fear that we are a threat to the status quo."
Civil partnerships between gay couples become legal on the 21 December. More than 600 couples in England and Wales plan to wed on the day.
The singer explained that although his marriage to partner David Furnish will be "the happiest day of [his] life," he still feels for other couples who live in countries that prohibit homosexuality.
In The Observer, John observed: "It has been a long struggle for equal rights to gay people in Britain, but now, in the 21st century, we have real civil rights, tolerance and final acceptance in our lives.
"Next Wednesday, on the happiest day of my life, when I celebrate a civil partnership with David, I will be thinking, however, about those less fortunate than we are. In many countries, having a same-sex partner is still outlawed."
He said around 80 countries, such as Jamaica, Iraq, Poland, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates, have yet to decriminalise homosexual relations.
John added: "Throughout history, gay people such as myself and David have often been made scapegoats by those who fear that we are a threat to the status quo."
Civil partnerships between gay couples become legal on the 21 December. More than 600 couples in England and Wales plan to wed on the day.