Elton John urges Ukraine to accept gays

Veteran British rock star Elton John on Saturday said Ukraine still had “a long way to go” in its treatment of the gay, bisexual and transgender community at a conference in Kiev. The singer, who has two sons with husband David Furnish and is a veteran campaigner on gay rights, urged Ukraine to seek ways to promote the rights of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT).

I tell you with great sadness that right here, in this very city earlier this summer, a simple and modest gay pride parade had to be organised at a secret location to try to prevent hooligans from disrupting it and committing violence against the celebrants.

Elton John

Homosexuality used to be punishable by law under the former Soviet Union, and although the legislation was revised following its collapse, homophobia remains socially acceptable in Ukraine where prevailing social attitudes tend to be intolerant towards those in the LGBT community. Highly popular in Ukraine, Elton John had in 2009 tried to adopt a local HIV-positive toddler but was prevented by the authorities as Ukrainian law does not permit couples in same-sex marriages to adopt.

Accepting people regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation is today the measure of an open, tolerant and democratic society…I ask you to begin this dialogue. This is a moral imperative.

Elton John

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