Elton John Criticizes California Proposition 8 for Focusing on Marriage
“I don’t want to be married. I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership,” said Elton John, who cemented his relationship with David Furnish in 2005. “The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. ”
In December 2005, John and Furnish tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in Windsor, England. But, clarified the singer, “We’re not married. Let’s get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage.”
John and Furnish, and their two cocker spaniels Marilyn and Arthur, were in town for Monday’s annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
“I don’t want to be married. I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership,” said John. “The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.”
Isn’t this the same argument that the YES on 8 supporters were arguing?
Here is a pre-election video that says the same thing:
But, Elton John is NOT the only gay activist who is criticizing gay leaders for emphasizing marriage versus expanding gay rights in other areas.
Longtime gay rights advocate Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and others on the conference call expressed concern that the gay rights movement had become too focused on marriage, and is now paying the price in other more critical areas. “Marriage was never our issue,” Trantalis said. “It was thrust upon us by the other side, and they’ve done a very good job of beating us up over it.”
In the meantime, California Proposition 8 opponents continue street demonstrations and protests directed at churches which supported the traditional definition of marriage.
Winning hearts and minds for homosexuals and their lifestyle?
Not so much.
Previous:
Technorati Tags: Gay Marriage, California Proposition 8, Elton John
3 Comments
London Tours
I think its a sad state on society when people believe that the word “marriage” has a stigma associated with it.
Jake Lewis
Elton John is actually a living legend, what a great musical artist he is.-:~
Lydia Owen
the music of elton john has this unique beat and the lyrics are very sentimental`;: