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7 May 2010

Elton John banned from playing in Egypt

Elton John has been banned from performing in Egypt after calling Jesus 'gay' and attacking Arab nations for their intolerance of homosexuality in a magazine interview earlier this year.

Elton John was scheduled to perform in a private concert in Egypt on May 18 as part of his "I'm Still Standing Tour" but was barred from doing so by the Egyptian musicians' union.

Contactmusic.com reported that Mounir al-Wasimi, the head of Egypt's Musician Union said his country could not allow: "A homosexual who wants to ban religions, claimed that the prophet Issa (Jesus) was gay and calls for Middle Eastern countries to allow gays to have sexual freedom" to perform.

The 63-year-old singer was quoted as saying, in a February issue of Parade magazine, that Jesus was a "compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems."

He added: "On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East – you're as good as dead."

As Jesus is considered a prophet in Islam – the main religion practiced in Egypt, John's statement could be taken as an affront to the religion.

Egyptian law probibits homosexuality. In a case that made headlines around the world, 52 men were arrested on May 11, 2001, aboard a floating gay nightclub called the Queen Boat, which was moored on the Nile in Cairo, Egypt. The men were reportedly subjected to beatings and forensic examinations to "prove their homosexuality". Twenty-one of the men were convicted of the "habitual practice of debauchery," one man of "contempt for religion," and another, accused of being the "ringleader," was convicted of both charges and received the heaviest sentence, five years' hard labour. A fifty-third man, a teenager, was tried in juvenile court, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of three years in prison, to be followed by three years of probation. After a retrial in 2003, 21 men were handed three-year jail sentences and twenty-nine were acquitted.

读者回应

1. 2010-05-07 17:51  
Elton need no Egypt.
2. 2010-05-07 18:29  
Perhaps Egypt needs no Elton.

Why was Elton John permitted to schedule his performance in the first place? Did Elton John want this headline made up to “save face” when two weeks before he was to perform, ticket sales were dismal because the Egyptians did not care to hear an overweight 63-year-old with toupee sing in a raspy voice and belt out notes that are off-key? Did Mounir al-Wasimi, the head of Egypt's Musician Union cancel the concert because it was going to be a money-loser?

It is interesting to note that the Guardian did not report whether the Egyptian government officially prohibited Elton John from entering the country for the same reasons that he was not allowed to perform. It seems unusual that the head of Egypt's Musician Union could speak on behalf of his country and for a well-traveled group such as Elton John and his tour handlers not to have been sensitive to these matters and obtained permission from the Egyptian government ahead of time.
3. 2010-05-07 18:52  
oh Elton you're such a tosser, just shut up any way, I have no time for homosexuals who build their careers under the umbrella of presumed heterosexuality (fake marriages to boot) then in kinder times after all the work was done by braver others come out and expect us to applaud them and fete them as some kind of heroes and so arrogant to like wise elect him self a spokespeople for us, mouthing off all sorts of nonsencial statements just makes it harder for Gays in the middle east too... silly old fart. thats the trouble with the gay world there is no voting system, most of the so called leadership just elect them selves and make up the agenda as if we should all fall in line with their skanky 'queering' of our world, to quote an almost great Australian they are "unrepresentative swill."
4. 2010-05-07 19:08  
Aztlan_oz: I agree that mouthing off this: "Try being a gay woman in the Middle East – you're as good as dead" is downright arrogant, and insensitive. How did he expect a young gay woman in the Middle East to feel after reading it? His next song ought to be entitled: "I don't know what makes people so cruel."
修改於2010-05-07 19:09:05
5. 2010-05-07 23:40  
aztlan and rppWEIGHTlifter, if you had one hundredth of Elton's talent, you could speak. But you don't. All you have is your bitter, queeny, arrogant, bitchy and homophobic attitudes. You'd rather lash out at Elton who happens to be a gay GENIUS (unlike you pathetic losers) than at a state which is openly homophobic and medieval in its approach to homosexuality. Yeah great, wow, what a couple of cool and post modern big city guys you are !

rpp you just sent me a heart, well why don't you stuff it up your... throat ? I'd much rather have sex with Elton John than with your ridiculous and narcissistic 6packs if they are all the talent you have. Elton, on the other hand, sang one of the most moving anti-homophobic songs i've ever heard (American Triangle) but you probably never heard of it, you're too busy listening in awe to Gloria Gaynor and Lady Gaga.

You dare to call Elton "arrogant" ? hahaha, you're such frauds, and
I am SO SO SO fed up with all the pretentious prose written on this comment board by the likes of you who think you have it all but understand NOTHING and are only interested in staring at your own navel.
6. 2010-05-07 23:56  
aztian makes a thought-provoking and lucid point, in a way. Elton John very much lived a faux-hetero life until he had banked millions, then, in a somewhat more tolerant world, came out and somehow got throned as some sort of gay ambassador. I had never really seen it that way, but that's the joy of being open to the opinions and viewpoints of others.

That said, I do agree with and applaud Elton John's condemnation of religion with regard to its stance on homosexuality, though I am not sure calling Jesus a fag is really the best way to go about making your point. The man lived and died (and stayed dead... sorry, Christians) 2,000 years ago. It's pretty safe to say that no one really knows what he did in his private time.

I truly believe that at some point in human history, in the distant future, people with these backwards, archaic religious beliefs will be a dim, sorry minority. It's too long that so many (not just gays) have been marginalized and oppressed -- and MUCH worse -- because of ridiculous and baseless religious beliefs.
7. 2010-05-07 23:59  
and the bottom line is you are ENVIOUS of Elton's talent, success and notoriety.
8. 2010-05-08 00:12  
chadm, Elton was in the closet for a while, that's all there is to it and he owes YOU nothing. MILLIONS of guys are in the closet for a while or for their whole life, and one day they come out... or they don't.
Are we allowed to pompously judge them and condemn them for not coming out earlier just because they happen to be famous ? how about you sweetheart ? when did YOU come out ? how were you feeling before that happened ? WHO were you ? how do you judge YOURSELF ?
if you read about Elton's life you would realize that singing and becoming famous was his therapy, so yes, it took years, as therapies do, and when he was comfortable with it he came out. Praise him for it and for all the good he's done to the gay cause since then, rather than judge him for not doing it earlier ! Who are you to judge ? you too, you are envious of his notoriety, his millions and for the fact that young guys like me would be happier to have sex with him than with you. I don't care if he's fat and old, he's a genius, and you judgmental guys are NOT.
9. 2010-05-08 00:16  
AND Elton did NOT call Jesus a "fag", YOU did, you used that derogatory and self loathing term, which says a whole lot about you, not about Elton.
10. 2010-05-08 06:09  
Danu22btm:

STOP!

HEALTH WARNING: The following contains "pretentious prose” which may cause your blood to boil, a heart attack or even death. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

On sending a heart: I clicked on the box "select all" and sent hearts to everyone on the list and somehow you were part of it. An unfortunate error.

The sex part: You said you'd rather have sex with Elton John than my 'ridiculous and narcissistic 6packs." You don't have to choose. My 'ridiculous and narcissistic 6packs" are not interested.

The talent part: You are right. I have not 1/100ths of Elton John's talent. Due to this lack of talent, you wanted to take away my right to free speech.

You spoke. Why don't you disclose your fraction of Elton John's talent and document this talent on Youtube so that everybody can agree that you were qualified to speak under this rule of yours.

The “have it all” part: You are wrong to say that “[I] think [I] have it all.” I do not think that because I do not have it all and have never, ever attempted to give you or anyone that impression.

In contrast, you acted as if you had it all, freely lashing out without compunction and in spitting anger at others for expressing personal opinions you happen to disagree with. Such action alone could chill free speech belonging to those who are intimidated by you or your insults and if you would ever combine your verbal and mental abuse with bodily harm or the threat of bodily harm then your conduct would resemble that of a regime that suppresses self-expression.
修改於2010-05-08 07:07:42
11. 2010-05-08 07:04  
Guys guys... come on. calm down... We all know that Elton John is a consumed provocator (as well as a very talented and gifted artist) , he could have saved himself for good, but then it's done. In a country (Egypt) where bisexuality is unofficially regarded as "common practice", it's simply revolting what they do against homosexuals. This is the real problem, not Elton John,
Wrapping out, everyone of you is right, nobody should insult anybody for simply expressing his opinion, pinpointing anger and insults.
We should be all solidal and coherent, commenting facts as they are. I can only say that in 2010, homosexuality is still regarded as "hot" topic. In some Islamic countries, homosexuality "does not exist" (see Ahmadinejad, sorry for bad spelling) or it's condemned as a capital sin (don't go that far from SIngapore, guys...).
Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion from a "European" point of view.
12. 2010-05-08 09:36  
Guys just cool down.

With regards to the comments and this article, well wealth and power is a form of shield, and back when Elton was growing up, homosexuality was still quite poorly understood(even worse during the AIDS epidemic period). It's not unheard of and quite understandable many fear coming out for fear of persecution.

This may be a fictatious quote from a movie, but in X3, the Beast said, "Is it cowardice to save oneself from persecution?"

Also sexuality is not as black and white as it appears to be. Many people take some time to fully realise their orientation. Worse if your cultural or/and religious upbringing happens to be strong or plays a part during growing up.

Perhaps now surrounded by his millions, Elton felt safe enough to come out and even lash out(albeit a bit tactlessly).

13. 2010-05-08 12:21  
ppddlifter if you were not interested in me then why did you send me a heart, huh ? truth is you're not interested in me ANY MORE because I told you what I think about you and it's not exactly flattering. Aren't you sorry and frustrated now that you DID send me that heart, lol !!! As for arrogance, wow, you're the one to speak, hahaha, when you come from the NUMBER ONE arrogant country in the world, the country that is universally detested for its arrogance, brutality, crazy fundamentalism, environmental selfishness and most of all its exasperating habbit of giving "democracy lessons" to the rest of the world. Go back to your gym, bunny boy, as it seems to produce more convincing results than your attempts at discussing arguing.
14. 2010-05-08 12:31  
gaia I don't wish to cool down, thank you, and don't patronize us ok (same goes for joe_luft) ? this is a comment board and it's OK to have heated discussions on a comment board. Last time I saw, Fridae is not some handholding, well wishing, we're-all-brothers New Age Club. Just a gay website with an active discussion board.
Aside from that, I agree with you totally and unconditionnally. See ? I'm not arguing just for the sake of fighting ! :-))
修改於2010-05-08 12:33:08
回应#15於於2010-05-10 07:57被作者删除。
16. 2010-05-08 18:32  
"disgraceful tantrum of a performance" you say Jupiter (what a modest choice of a name btw lol) ? Were you there ? Taiwanese paparrazzi are known to be among the most aggressive and rude in the region. The way they pushed and shoved when Elton arrived was inacceptable so he called them pigs. Good for him because that's what most paparazzis are anyway. Significantly, one of them then asked him why he didn't get out of Taiwan, thus trying with typically journalistic dishonesty to turn a justified personal reaction into some kind of racist attitude. No one is LESS racist than Elton. Robbie Williams recently had a problem with the same pigs at the airport and there are numerous other examples.
You want stars to be perfect ? Well they're not. And when they are faced with that amount of stress and agrressive behaviour, they react. You would react too, I bet, Mr Sanctimonious, and maybe in a worse fashion.
But then you're not a star... and that's the problem isn't it ? The underlying feeling behind the usual reaction of "ordinary" people to the stars' mistakes is envy. You envy his millions, you envy his fame, you envy his talent. Good for him ! Go Elton, you're the best, and yes those photographers were pigs !
修改於2010-05-08 19:16:16
回应#17於於2010-05-10 07:56被作者删除。
18. 2010-05-08 19:17  
your opinion is fine, it's your attitude that's offending, and pray don't pose as a victim, it doesn't befit your Olympian ID. My "scathing" reaction is just a reaction. If you can't take reactions to your silly and judgmental statements then don't write on the board, little boy, and change your name from Jupiter to Ganymede hahahaa
修改於2010-05-08 19:21:24
回应#19於於2010-05-10 07:56被作者删除。
20. 2010-05-08 21:48  
Oh sigh~ Regarding the last part of this news; queries on why people don't rightly use their brains in their actions began to appear. Self-thought: Looks like constructed institutions have a backlash effect on itself.
21. 2010-05-09 09:00  
hihihihihi !!!! Gee I love this, Jupity, the posters I "crucified" !!! and here I was naively thinking that Elton was the biggest drama queen ever ! Well, big boy, time for you to acquire some pink high heel shoes with glasses to match, and start singing !

Paparazzis EVERYWHERE are nothing but a bunch of thugs who brandish the "freedom of the press" in absolute bad faith and are an embarassment to their profession. The bashing they receive is nothing compared to the annoyance they cause. I will never defend them and for all I care Elton can use his handbag to smash their ugly faces and send them all to hospital.
Lady Di was dead before she could even get there.
回应#22於於2010-05-10 07:56被作者删除。
23. 2010-05-09 13:49  
Pathetic. Not worth answering further. It's no discussion any more it's just typical queen b*tching and I loathe b*tches, Jupipi, especially those of the fat, nerdy, arrogant-Aussie type.
修改於2010-05-09 13:51:01
回应#24於於2010-05-10 07:56被作者删除。
25. 2010-05-09 19:22  
hehehe you're really mad at me now aren't you, nerdy ? but you ARE extremely arrogant, and THAT as a matter of fact was the reason I reacted to your first comment. You forgot what you wrote ? ts ts ts

And also : I made fun of your looks (a low blow, I'll admit hihihi) but you made fun of my English, remember ? It's not my native language, but I did make the effort to learn it so I could have the honour of arguing with nicompoops like you. But you don't speak Romanian or Hungarian or French, do you ? Nah, you don't, you're too busy being a Proud-English-Speaking-White-Aussie, self satisfied, pompous and eager to give lessons to all of us Fridae members, Elton John and the rest of the world. See if we, or he cares hahaha !!

And please note, this will be my last reply to your silly rantings, so if you want to have the last word, Madam Jupee, go ahead, I gallantly give it to you hehe.
回应#26於於2010-05-10 07:55被作者删除。
27. 2010-05-09 20:41  
Elton's just saying like it is.
Peace y'all ;) Let's all sit down, have a piece of cake and sing kumbaya :D
28. 2010-05-09 22:42  
Jupiter, hey, give us a break. Our Danu22btm here may be young and hot hearted but at least he's remarkably intelligent, while you're just boring and childish. Stop whining and grow up, buddy, you're making a fool of yourself here.
Personnally I love Elton John's songs and I don't expect him to be perfect just because he's a star. I wasn't there so I'm in no position to make sweeping statements like you did about his behaviour, and in any case I would never blame anyone for telling Paparazzis to go to hell because it's true and well known that these guys are indeed a bunch of heartless and greedy pigs.
Kumbaya, kumbaya... yeah... well said ralph ! LOL
回应#29於於2010-05-11 00:51被作者删除。
30. 2010-05-11 04:58  
I'd consider it an honor to be banned from that backward country. Egypt is one of the most intolerant places on the planet.
31. 2010-05-11 09:11  
Wow ! Thanks DA90027 !!!! THANKS !
FINALLY someone is barking up the tree of intolerance, brutal fundamentalism and homophobia instead of attacking Elton John left and right, Elton who happens to be GAY like US, whose talent is pharaonic (hehe) and whose considerable generosity towards many causes that have to do with gays and with HIV is obviously unknown to some people here.
I must say I'm always (naively?) shocked when I see gay guys, here or elsewhere, lashing out at gay personalities, making homophobic comments, and using derogatery words like "fag" etc but I guess it's part of the self-loathing that sadly comes with our heavy homophobic conditioning.
If they stop hating themselves maybe they'll start solving the biggest part of the problem, and not only for their sake but ours too, in a collective sense.
修改於2010-05-11 09:31:29
32. 2010-05-11 14:55  
Incredible... a Trades Union banning someone for religious issues ? One can understand the dictator Mubarak and his fascist government, well supported by the USA but unlike in the case of China never accused by the US of human rights violations ( a daily occurrence in Egypt ) taking this stand, or the more intolerant Mullahs. But a Trades Union ? Only in a dictatorship ,political or religious !!
Elton does not need the Musicians Union there but the gays in Egypt need him... Keep it up Elton. Expose all these dictatorships and human rights violators. What about an Elton John version of stars for freedom , on the scale of Geldof's ? Bringing gays and victims of abuse everywhere some comfort and hope for change . Tony
33. 2010-05-11 15:01  
Aztlan..
Sorry about your ruined keyboard career and your bitter personal experiences.. I understand how this can twist your thinking and affect your judgement .

Try to find happiness ,in yourself not just from others , and you will be a better person.
34. 2010-05-11 20:46  
I've always been deeply against "gay" hypocrites here and anywhere that attacks our own kind and still expects to reap the benefits of struggles by our LGBT for equality, to live a comfy gay lifestyle; closeted or not, by their own deluded perception.
Sickens me how these leeches can sit on their bony ass and pass judgement on gay icons like Elton when they have done NOTHING to protect our own community against injustices and violence. .

Wouldn't it be great if the ugly likes of Larry Craig and George Rekers "minister" to all these self hating hypocrites up their sordid behinds and then burn them at the stake for redemption. Bon fire anyone? :P
修改於2010-05-31 02:17:45
35. 2010-05-12 11:22  
Horsetale, Jammyboi, Yveserwan, I LOVE You Guys !!! It's good to know I'm not the only who's pissed off with the hypocrisy, the gay bashing and/or the frustrated, pompous, sanctimonious comments which appear regularly on this board, always from the same 4 or 5 guys (no need to give names you know who I'm talking about). Don't let them think they're the only ones who have a brain and/or a keyboard. Let's focus on fighting against the ones who hurt us and not those who try (with whatever mistakes) to help gays and fight homophobia. Thanks again Elton !
PS. Do you know his song called "American Triangle" about the tragedy of Matthew Shepard (1998) ? Elton and Bernie Taupin have come up with an absolute masterpiece there and it's hard not to cry when you really listen to it, especially if you have Matthew's young and innocent face on your mind at the same time.
36. 2010-05-12 15:46  
I, for one truly believe that Jesus may be gay. Elton was simply espousing Christ's kinder qualities which defines the intuitive positive aspects of many LGBT brethen, due to the constant persecutions from intolerant societies. If the church can conveniently DELETE 12 missing years of Jesus (12-30) from the bible, what else is propagated truth?

I do not believe in turning the other cheek to homophobic idiots that refuse to treat everyone as equals. This is not ignorance. This is pure evil. Stonewall would never have had happened if our drag brethen didn't fight back. We owe our expanded consciousness now in the LGBT communities to them. God Save The Queens! ;)

To self hating hypofags-please don't try to go f.u.c.k yourselves. What will you do when even you reject yourselves? Losers! LOL. Zzzz.
修改於2010-05-31 02:18:09
37. 2010-05-13 22:33  
Let's stop bashing Elton and accept what we need to do is change homophobic laws and religions around the world. Britain where I grew up was intolerant - face it - and it's Elton's efforts that have changed that in part. And his AIDS foundation has done an incredible amount of work around the world from his wealth.

I've never been lucky enough to meet him but I would love to and thank him for what he has done, not what he hasn't.
38. 2010-05-17 17:34  
"It's good to know I'm not the only who's pissed off with the hypocrisy, the gay bashing and/or the frustrated, pompous, sanctimonious comments which appear regularly on this board, always from the same 4 or 5 guys".

Just like guy in other article who impose his US freedom of speech upon other countries, others who blame the Indian professor killed at his own fault.....etc, etc. Some people just like to argue for the sake of argueing.

Danu22btm, hurray...u speak my heart out.
39. 2010-05-17 17:42  
Also, articles on organizing seminar in Indonesia and content in China. Some accuse the stupdity and ignorant of organizers rather than praising their courage. Fortunately, it only the few 'black sheeps' but they really 'boil' my blood reading their critics.
40. 2010-05-26 03:57  

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