Sir Elton John attacks Russia’s anti-gay laws during St Petersburg concert
Sir Elton John laid into Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ law during a concert in St Petersburg.
According to PA, the veteran singer launched into a tirade condemning the Russian government, and praising newly-out Apple CEO Tim Cook.
A memorial to Apple boss Steve Jobs was reportedly torn down in the city last week, after Mr Cook – who succeeded him as CEO – came out.
Performing in the city’s Ice Palace last night, Sir Elton said: “I’m not big on technology, but I love my iPad! They’re amazing, aren’t they? They way they can connect us to the things and people we love.
“How dignified that St Petersburg should erect a memorial to Steve Jobs, the remarkable founder of Apple. But last week it was labelled ‘homosexual propaganda’ and taken down.
“Can this be true? Steve’s memory is re-written because his successor at Apple, Tim Cook, is gay? Does that also make iPads gay propaganda? Is Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music ‘sexually perverting’?
“As a gay man, I’ve always felt so welcome here in Russia. Stories of Russian fans – men and women who fell in love dancing to Nikita, or their kids who sing along to Circle Of Life – mean the world to me.
“If I’m not honest about who I am, I couldn’t write this music. It’s not gay propaganda. It’s how I express life. If we start punishing people for that, the world will lose its humanity.”
The singer recently raised eyebrows when he hailed Pope Francis as a “hero” for rhetoric on gay rights – despite the Catholic Church entirely scrapping plans to relax its anti-gay policies.
