11/28/2006
Elton John to Australian PM John Howard: "Up Yours"
Elton John sat down for an interview with Australia's Seven Network in Sydney to chat about, among other things, his civil partnership with David Furnish: "It was just a commitment I wanted to make because I love him, and vice-versa, and it was just a great day."
Elton recently arrived in Sydney after puking his way through Brisbane.
In the interview he slammed John Howard when asked if he had a message for the anti-gay Prime Minister. Said Elton to the PM: "Up yours."
Howard's most recent action against same-sex unions was to veto legislation proposed by the Australian Capitol Territory (ACT) that would have legalized them.
Said Howard before the veto: "This is not an anti-homosexual gesture. This is a gesture to support the special and traditional place of marriage as a heterosexual union for life of a man and a woman in Australian society. Why we're against what the ACT is doing is that, in all but name, they are equating same-sex unions with marriage. I don't support that, not because I'm against homosexuals, but I think there should always be a margin for marriage as we understand it in our society ... you don't equate a gay union with a traditional marriage – that's our position."
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Posted 10:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Australia, Elton John, Gay Marriage, John Howard, News | Permalink
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"This is not an anti-homosexual gesture. This is a gesture to support the special and traditional place of marriage as a heterosexual union for life of a man and a woman in Australian society. Why we're against what the ACT is doing is that, in all but name, they are equating same-sex unions with marriage. I don't support that, not because I'm against homosexuals, but I think there should always be a margin for marriage as we understand it in our society ... you don't equate a gay union with a traditional marriage – that's our position."
Yeah, because we wouldn't want to tarnish the pristine, unblemished, sanctified, and purified reputation of heterosexual marriage, would we? (I'm rolling my eyes...)
Posted by: Michael W. | Nov 28, 2006 10:39:14 AM
I think Elton just won me back as a fan.
Posted by: Steve | Nov 28, 2006 10:43:34 AM
"heterosexual union for life"?
I think nearly 60% of Americans would beg to differ.
Posted by: jeff | Nov 28, 2006 10:52:42 AM
John Howard: George W. Bush's mini-me.
Posted by: GBM | Nov 28, 2006 11:00:34 AM
let's not forget that Elton already had an australian marriage when he was alot less than proud (her name was Renate Blauel).
besides, if he's so gung-ho why'd he forego a canadian marriage to his Toronto guy rather than settle for a British civil union.
elton's not the best representative.
Posted by: A.J. | Nov 28, 2006 11:45:06 AM
I'm not always looking for the best representative. Sometimes we should just look for people who represent us. He's from England, so why wouldn't he want what his HOME COUNTRY has to offer? He speaks for a lot of us, and I'm back as a fan as well.
Posted by: Anon1 | Nov 28, 2006 11:57:16 AM
I could care less....
NEXT!
Posted by: PradaBoy | Nov 28, 2006 12:26:12 PM
I can't understand why people care at all about who loves who. If that isn't homo-phobic, I don't know what is. Why not let people be happy together in marriage, if that is what they want. How is it hurting anyone? By the way, in U.S. is, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness only for Christians???
Posted by: Linda | Nov 28, 2006 12:58:54 PM
Go on Elton! I'm sorry, he may be eccentric but nobody else is putting it so bluntly. I think he's fabulous.
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2006 3:36:41 PM
Judy knows I've flamed Elton repeatedly, and, no doubt, will again, but, in this case, I agree with Daniel. Maybe if HRC et al. had been remotely as blunt in the past 30 years we might still be gaining rights instead of losing them or barely holding on. Instead, they have allowed the other side to control the debate while totally ignoring their smearing us as threats not just to the family but Civilization itself. They've acted like Girl Scouts trying to stop Mongolian hordes by offering them cookies.
Posted by: Leland | Nov 28, 2006 4:10:04 PM
Anyone else think he looks like the Heat Miser from the old stop-motion Christmas special from the 1970's?
Posted by: mark m | Nov 28, 2006 6:12:59 PM
That's right--and I love me some Heat Miser--he's Mr. Hundred-and-one!
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2006 8:18:32 PM
Leland: HRC works down unda? What can you say about gay rights movements in the land of oz?
Posted by: Anon | Nov 29, 2006 2:28:37 AM
As an Australian...i can tell you now that next year i will be using my vote to make sure that John Howard doesn't remain Prime Minister.
But i'm not just saying this because of his views on homosexuality...there are many things he does wrong and the lies he has told to our people is a disgrace!
Posted by: steve | Nov 29, 2006 3:33:31 AM
As an Australian girl living in Sydney- John Howard has proven time and time again he is completely out of touch with society. Marriage is between 2 people that love each other- and that's it. I am so over all of this "traditional" bullshit. Stop making it a problem. Almost everyone would be pro gay marriage if the government wasn't making such a big deal of it.
Posted by: lillylyd | Nov 29, 2006 12:36:26 PM
whether gay or straight, Elton john appears to be on of the angriest people alive. Constant anger turns people off.
Posted by: rob | Dec 4, 2006 4:43:55 PM
EJ is many things to many people, and in spite of, and probably due to, his ups and downs, he has certainly become a great and verbal gay-rights champion! I agree with Anon1 that it is perfectly fine that he had a Civil union in the UK, because that is his ancestral home and no-one has the right to trash that! Especially since we have not managed budged this intolerant government here to get as far as Civil unions, and in fact not demanded marriage here. The US has shamefully lagged in this regard. Roll on when we can bulldozer W and his cronies far and gone out of office!!!!
Posted by: CK | Apr 15, 2007 4:52:34 PM
John Howard also once said we are a christian country therefore gays need not apply for marriage, and that banning gay marriage stops the species from dying out (I don't know exactly how that works, whether or not you legalise gay marriage, we're still going to be around and be gay....)
This old man has way passed his used by date. Get rid of him? For two points I nominate Howard for eviction.
Posted by: Louie | Apr 16, 2007 2:27:54 AM