Tag Archives: Elton John

Putin Claims Homophobia In Russia Has Been ‘Deliberately Exaggerated’

President Vladimir Putin has claimed that homophobia in Russia has been “deliberately exaggerated”, before attacking the United States and the anti-gay laws that he says still exist there.

Putin contended that some states in the US still have laws that criminalise homosexuality, before claiming that similar Soviet laws no longer existed.

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Talking to CBS’s 60 minutes, he said.

The problem of sexual minorities in Russia had been deliberately exaggerated from the outside for political reasons, I believe, without any good basis. It’s well known that in four states in America, homosexual orientation is a crime,”

He added that he even thought the laws in question were scrapped by the Supreme Court in 2003.

It’s not completely removed from American legislation, but we don’t have. I definitely condemn that.”

Mr Putin then went on to say that he does not believe in the persecution of any minority – including the LGBT community.

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He also claimed that Russia allows “people of non-traditional sexual orientation” to “live in peace.”

I don’t see here any infringement on the rights of gay people. In Russia, there are equal rights for everyone. Including for people of non-traditional sexual orientations as well.”

Although many have welcomed the leader’s move, others have argued that his blatant use homophobic words such as like “natural” and “normal” used to describe heterosexual relationships during the interview, reveals a different mind-set.

In addition, Putin recently awarded Milonov with the state’s highest civilian honour, raising further doubts that his comments are to be taken seriously.

Vladimir Putin Offers Elton John Meeting To Discuss LGBT Rights

The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin has agreed to meet with Sir Elton John for real – after two Russian comedians tricked him into thinking he was on the phone with Russian President.

Last Tuesday, a spokesman for Putin, Dmitry Peskov, revealed to reporters that a call between the pair has actually occurred since the prank.

Putin phoned him. He said: ‘I know some guys played a trick on you on the phone, but don’t get offended. They are harmless people, though that of course does not justify what they did.'”

The spokesman added that Putin offered to speak with John and “discuss any subject which interested him.”

A representative for John confirmed the call to Rolling Stone.

Following the reveal that it was a prank, John responded earnestly about the situation.

Pranks are funny. Homophobia, however, is never funny. I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT right still stands. I will always stand up for those that are being degraded and discriminated against. If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion.”


 

https://instagram.com/p/7ulYWIgGTl


 

John has frequently tried to set up a meeting with Putin during his visits to Russia, which made him more susceptible to the prank. In November 2014, the performer spoke out against Russia’s homophobia during a concert in St. Petersburg after a statue of Steve Jobs was taken down because Apple’s current CEO Tim Cook came out as gay.

Ellen DeGeneres Joins Elton John’s boycott of Dolce & Gabbana

Ellen DeGeneres has joined Elton John’s boycott of Dolce & Gabbana and says their remarks about same-sex parenting and “synthetic children” were “ignorant.”

Earlier this month, fashion icons Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (aka Dolce & Gabbana) – who are gay themselves – made comments on their opposition to same-sex couples having children.

We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one…. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed.”

They made their remarks to an Italian magazine, expressing their disapproval of “synthetic children” conceived via artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation, the only viable method of getting pregnant for both same-sex and heterosexual pairs.

Their comments enraged out singer-songwriter Elton John – who has sons Zachary and Elijah with his husband David Furnish – with Elton calling for a boycott of their luxury fashion label.

Since then several other celebrities have followed suit. Dolce and Gabbana later clarified their remarks, saying they did not mean to judge other people’s choices.

Talking with her wife Portia de Rossi to E! News at the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, DeGeneres said.

It’s not even worth commenting on because they’re, you know, ignorant,” 

The talk show host added she will never wear Dolce & Gabbana clothes “ever, ever again.”

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De Rossi also added

The only thing you can say is that, you know, we’re all entitled to free speech. However, I just don’t understand who they are. I don’t understand why they would want to say that.”

Zoe Saldana, who attended the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards with husband Marco Perego, with whom she shares twin sons, disagrees with the couple’s stance. She told E! News it would be “the stupidest thing” to boycott Dolce & Gabbana, adding that she is “certainly not going to be refuting when they are adopting synthetic children, however they wanted to say it.”

DeGeneres and de Rossi, who celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in December, have no children and had last year debunked tabloid reports that claimed the two were trying to start a family.

Dolce & Gabbana Condemns Unenlightened ‘Ignorance’ of Elton John After #BoycottDolceGabbana Campaign

Last week fashion icons Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (aka Dolce & Gabbana) – who are gay themselves – made comments on their opposition to same-sex couples having children.

The designers, whose recent Milan Fashion Week show was a celebration of motherhood and featured models and their babies on the catwalk, said:

We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one…. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed.”

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Out singer-songwriter Elton John, who has sons Zachary and Elijah with his husband David Furnish, has since hit back at the pair.

How dare you refer to my beautiful children as ‘synthetic’. And shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF – a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children.

Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana”

Sir Elton John

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Celebrities gay and straight were only too happy to offer their support for Elton John’s boycott, and to share in decrying Dolce & Gabbana comments attacking LGBT families.

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Now Gabbana has spoken in more detail about the scandal to Corriere Della Sera, labelling Elton John’s call for his fans to boycott the Dolce & Gabbana brand “unenlightened” and “ignorant”.

Speaking to Matteo Persivale, Gabbana argues that Dolce’s comments were taken out of context.

They’re just putting words into our mouths, now. They’re saying we are against gay parenting. It’s not true. Domenico only expressed his opinion about the traditional family and about In Vitro Fertilisation. If someone else wants to make different choices, fine, they are free to do it. We demand the same respect.”

Asked about how he felt after reading Elton John’s comments on Instagram and his hashtag #BoycottDolceGabbana, Gabbana describes his shock.

I didn’t expect this, coming from someone whom I considered, and I stress “considered”, an intelligent person like Elton John. I mean, you preach understanding, tolerance and then you attack others? Only because someone has a different opinion? Is this a democratic or enlightened way of thinking? This is ignorance, because he ignores the fact that others might have a different opinion and that theirs is as worthy of respect as his.”

In response to Elton’s petition for his followers to #BoycottDoceGabbana, Gabbana retorted by posting the word #Fascist! on Elton’s wall before calling on their followers to #BoycottEltonJohn.

Come on, I was annoyed for a moment. It would be ridiculous. Either you like somebody’s songs or you don’t. When you go to the greengrocer’s, you don’t make sure that he agrees with your views on IVF. You just want to know if he has fresh products…

We are not boycotting and we will not boycott anyone. We are about freedom. Anyone can make the choices they want. Domenico has his ideas, he made some choices. Elton John made different choices. Different choices, different lives. Equal respect.”

While the two D&G designers have been collectively criticised for the comments, Gabbana told Panorama he was open to becoming a father and has since said the suggestion he is against gay adoption is wrong. “A question is followed by an answer. Respect comes from accepting different views!” Gabbana wrote on Instagram.

Elton John Calls Pope Francis “My Hero” for His Push towards Acceptance of LGBTs in the Catholic Church 

Elton John has called Pope Francis “my hero” for his compassion and push to accept gays in the Catholic church, at his annual AIDS benefit.

John hosted the event, “An Enduring Vision: A Benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” Tuesday night in New York City. He says Francis is pushing boundaries in the church and told the crowd:

“Make this man a saint now, OK?”

Catholic bishops scrapped their landmark welcome to gays earlier this month, showing deep divisions at the end of a two-week meeting sought by Francis to chart a more merciful approach to ministering to Catholic families. An earlier draft of the document offered a welcoming tone of acceptance, but that was stripped away.

John called Francis “courageous” and “fearless.”

‘Out With the Family’ – A Wonderful Documentary About LGBT Families and the Support Network Available in the UK

A documentary for all LGBT families out their.

Square Peg Media, organisers of the Alternative Parenting Show, produced this wonderful documentary.

After getting in touch with celebrity couple Elton John and David Furnish, David agreed to fly to the UK to narrate the video.

Sarah Garrett, Managing Director of Square Peg Media and mother to twin girls, features on the video, and said:

“We were so happy to have David on board, he’s a lovely guy and a true champion of the cause to create change.”

Sarah Garrett, Managing Director of Square Peg Media

The 40-minute film has been sponsored and endorsed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, an endorsement in itself about how times have changed, and includes interviews with a variety of families who tell their stories. Some have become parents through adoption, surrogacy, through a fertility clinic or the less formal DIY approach!