UKRAINE-CRISIS/FORUM-ELTON JOHN Elton John urges Ukraine's leadership to protect gay rights
Record ID:
141158
UKRAINE-CRISIS/FORUM-ELTON JOHN Elton John urges Ukraine's leadership to protect gay rights
- Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS/FORUM-ELTON JOHN Elton John urges Ukraine's leadership to protect gay rights
- Date: 12th September 2015
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (SEPTEMBER 12, 2015) (REUTERS) WIDE OF 12TH YALTA ECONOMIC STRATEGY FORUM IN SESSION BRITISH SINGER ELTON JOHN WALKING ONTO STAGE FORUM IN PROGRESS / ELTON JOHN SEEN ON BIG SCREENS IN SESSION HALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH SINGER ELTON JOHN WALKING ONTO STAGE, SAYING: "Today some 78 countries make being gay a crime. It's hard to imagine something so personal and so key to one's very essence and identity to be criminalised. I and others like me could be arrested, indeed, we would be arrested in many of these places just for being who we are and at our core. At some places we could be tortured or put to death. Such intolerance harkens back to some of the darkest times in history. This is the 21st century for Christ sake! It is beyond inhumane that such policies exist and they are complete disgrace." FORUM PARTICIPANTS LISTENING ELTON JOHN ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH SINGER ELTON JOHN WALKING ONTO STAGE, SAYING: "The people in this room are some of the most powerful in Ukraine and in some cases the most powerful anywhere in the world. You have the power to help bring about this new era. I am asking you to use that power wisely, to seize the opportunity and to guarantee human rights for all. And one day I hope to come back to this blessed nation and to extend my thanks to all of you, for not only beginning the dialogue but for changing lives and for ultimately changing the course of history." PEOPLE APPLAUDING ELTON JOHN LEAVING STAGE
- Embargoed: 27th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACG07QYTWWIDHQF5UFU6GUXIGT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: British singer and composer Elton John called on Ukraine's political and business elite on Saturday (September 12) to guarantee and protect the rights of the gay community.
Addressing the 12th Yalta Economic Strategy forum in Kiev the singer-songwriter and gay rights advocate condemned negative attitude towards gays in some countries and compared intolerance towards the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community there with treatment of gay people during "some of the darkest times in history."
"Today some 78 countries make being gay a crime. It's hard to imagine something so personal and so key to one's very essence and identity to be criminalised. I and others like me could be arrested, indeed, we would be arrested in many of these places just for being who we are and at our core. At some places we could be tortured or put to death. Such intolerance harkens back to some of the darkest times in history. This is the 21st century for Christ sake! It is beyond inhumane that such policies exist and they are complete disgrace," said John.
The 68-year-old singer called on Ukrainian politicians and business leaders to use their influence to guarantee human rights to all citizens of the country.
"The people in this room are some of the most powerful in Ukraine and in some cases the most powerful anywhere in the world. You have the power to help bring about this new era. I am asking you to use that power wisely, to seize the opportunity and to guarantee human rights for all. And one day I hope to come back to this blessed nation and to extend my thanks to all of you, for not only beginning the dialogue but for changing lives and for ultimately changing the course of history," said the singer, who has two children with his partner David Furnish.
John, one of Britain's most prominent musicians and gay celebrities, has often used his status in the music world to make statements on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Last year, he criticized Russia's ban on homosexual propaganda. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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