From rxpgnews.com
Elton John hits out against 'homophobic abuse'
By DPA,
Mar 22, 2007 - 5:06:54 PM
London, March 22 - British singer Elton John has urged people to hit back at 'homophobic abuse' and stand up for basic human rights.
People were 'persecuted' all over the world 'just because of who they love and who they make love to,' Sir Elton said in an article in Britain's New Statesman magazine Thursday.
'We should all stand up and speak out for ... basic human rights,' he said. 'We should shout back, whether the bigot is in the pub or thousands of miles away.'
Sir Elton, who turns 60 on Sunday, 'married' his long-time partner David Furnish in a civil partnership in 2005 - on the first day such liaisons were possible under British law.
The singer said the union was his legal and human right, adding: 'And I wanted everyone to know, I wanted to shout about it.'
'In some countries, my voice would have been drowned out. Maybe even stamped out. Men and women are persecuted and attacked every day all over the world, just because of who they love and who they make love to.'
Sir Elton cited the example of El Salvador gay rights activist William Hernandez, who has been threatened at gunpoint and suffered a raid on his organisation's offices.
Last November Sir Elton criticised Australian Prime Minister John Howard after his government overruled a local law allowing gay unions.
The star is to play a record 60th concert at New York's Madison Square Garden on his birthday on Sunday.
All rights reserved by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited ( www.rxpgnews.com )