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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Aside from that, I agree with you totally and unconditionnally. See ? I'm not arguing just for the sake of fighting ! :-))
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 !
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.
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.
Peace y'all ;) Let's all sit down, have a piece of cake and sing kumbaya :D
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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