Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I Like His Music, Respect His Independence of Thought

Who? Elton John, of course:

Elton John didn't mince words in slamming his fellow musicians for boycotting Arizona over the controversial SB 1070 immigration law. From the stage at his sold-out Tucson Arena concert Thursday night, John savored a few choice, not-so-family-friendly words:

"We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won't come here. They are (expletive)wits! Let's face it: I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what's the (expletive) with these people?"

John has never been one to cave into political pressure from his musical colleagues. He ignored an artist boycott of Israel in June over the flotilla fiasco and played a show in Tel Aviv. He also played Rush Limbaugh's latest wedding reception in early June, which drew the ire of gays and lesbians. Limbaugh is vehemently anti-gay marriage; John is married to his longtime partner David Furnish.

I don't understand his comment about having no rights in California as a gay man. Elton himself is against gay marriage, and while California doesn't recognize gay marriage, we have one of the strongest domestic partnership laws that can exist:

California Family Code Section 297.5. (a) Registered domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law, whether they derive from statutes, administrative regulations, court rules, government policies, common law, or any other provisions or sources of law, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.

Still, I regret not getting to see his show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.


Anonymous said...

Why don't you just admit you are gay?

Darren said...

Why don't you just admit how much you want me?

Anonymous said...

I'm still waiting for San Francisco to call for a boycott of California because of our no-Gay-Marriage constitutional amendment.

-Mark Roulo

maxutils said...

How can one be opposed to gay marriage, while at the same time being IN a gay marriage?

Darren said...

I don't know, ask Elton. And I don't think gay marriage is yet legal in Britain. He's IN a gay relationship.

maxutils said...

I ask, because the story you quoted said "John is married to his long time partner, David Furnish."

Darren said...

Reporters aren't known for their high SAT scores :-)