Elton John To Congress: HIV Stigma Is Still The Greatest Threat To Stopping AIDS

Elton John testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee today to argue against so-called sequester caps on federal spending for HIV/AIDS. Via the Washington Times:

Music legend and advocate Elton John said the stigma of persons infected by HIV/AIDS, particularly in the LGBT community, is the greatest threat to fighting — and one day stopping — the disease. Sir John told a Senate Appropriations panel that some African societies marginalize or penalize gay members of their communities, hampering efforts to keep those with HIV/AIDS from gaining much-needed drugs. “They go underground, and the disease is spread even further,” he told the foreign operations subcommittee chaired by Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican. He struck a religious stance, too, saying Jesus “would be appalled at the way people are being stigmatized” and credited Pope Francis with preaching compassion. Sir John appeared before Congress to testify in support of a global-health fund that fights poverty and diseases like AIDS and malaria abroad.

The moment seen above with fellow testifier Pastor Rick Warren came as cameras flashed while the pair took their seats. Warren then joked that if he and Elton were to kiss at that moment, "It would be the kiss heard 'round the world." Elton's opening statement is below. In the second clip, Warren digresses from HIV/AIDS funding to lecture the committee on religious liberty.

Christian Site Launches Pro-D&G Petition

From LifeSiteNews:

A host of performers, led by Elton John, have called for a boycott of the Italian designers for “lining up with the Pope and the far-Right in their support for legal discrimination." Elton John and David Furnish, his “husband,” have two IVF children from a surrogate mother in the United States.

Unfortunately this is just the latest example of the increasingly common attacks against entrepreneurs who have dared to speak the “politically incorrect” truth that family and marriage are built upon the union of a man and a woman.

Though we may not necessarily agree with everything they believe or stand for, right now Dolce and Gabbana need encouragement from those who support traditional marriage and the natural family not to cave under the intense pressure that is being put on them by intolerant gay activists. We need people from every sphere of life to speak the truth about marriage and the family, and those who do should be given the support they need to withstand the inevitable attacks that will result.

Ben Shapiro is promoting the petition at TruthRevolt.

Bill Donohue On Dolce & Gabbana

"The open-minded ones in New York and Hollywood are having hissy fits over a quip made by Dolce about the kinds of kids their gay friends are raising. Elton John, who was engaged to a woman in the 1960s, married another gal in the 1980s, and then finally settled down with his boyfriend, is furious with Dolce. That’s because Sir Elton, who is no longer Questioning his sexual orientation (the 'Q' in LGBTQ stands for Questioning—if there are two 'Q’s' the other stands for 'Queer'), takes Dolce’s comments to heart: he and his buddy are raising two children who are not, obviously, the result of their homosexual relationship. He is calling for a boycott. The celebs are so angry that some are threatening to burn their Dolce & Gabbana pants. Others are literally apoplectic: they cannot speak. Still others, not knowing whose side to take - all the parties to this controversy are homosexuals - are feverishly waiting it out." - Bill Donohue, reducing David Furnish to a "buddy" in a post for the Catholic League.

Tony Perkins Praises Dolce & Gabbana

"The minds behind the world-famous D&G brand have been creating more controversy than clothing lately, as the duo comes clean about their surprisingly conservative views. As expected, celebrities have turned on the pair with a ferocity that took the Italians by surprise. Singer Elton John has been the most vocal, calling Dolce and Gabbana's thinking 'archaic' and demanding a Tinsel town boycott of the popular line. The backlash (one celebrity vowed to set her Dolce on fire) threw the designers for a loop. They're learning, as we all have, that there's no room in the Left's debate for both sides. It was a powerful statement -- one that obviously hit a little too close to home. When it comes right down to it, there's nothing more threatening to the homosexual political movement than homosexual people who tell the truth." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Glenn Beck Defends Dolce & Gabbana

Right Wing Watch has the transcript:

"Is this the kind of freedom that we're at? Anyone who feels the same as Dolce and Gabbana, let me ask you, are they empowered to express their view or are they now afraid that Hollywood and progressives will come after them? The party of progress is making progress indeed, back to the Dark Ages, back to the days when differing scientific views were labeled heresy and black magic. As the march toward conformity continues, America gets farther and farther away from the place where those who will change the world with art and science and music, those who will bring on the next Renaissance just might find themselves locked up in a tower and sadly never paint the next Mona Lisa."

Dolce & Gabbana Talk To CNN

Embattled billionaire designers Dolce and Gabbana took to CNN this morning for some damage control.

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Dolce said his views on IVF were private, personal beliefs based on his sense of a traditional Sicilian family. "I believe in the traditional family," he said. "It is impossible to change my culture for something different. It's me... I respect all the world, all the culture." Dolce said he did not judge people who chose the procedure, although he previously made controversial statements to the Italian magazine, Panorama, referring to IVF babies as "chemistry children and synthetic children."

The initial comments from Dolce and Gabbana struck some as hypocritical coming from a gay couple that was romantically involved until 2005 (they continued working together after the breakup). Dolce's comment was seen as an attack on gay and lesbian families.

But Gabbana said they weren't telling anyone how to live their lives. "We love gay couple. We are gay. We love gay couple. We love gay adoption. We love everything. It's just an express of my private point of view," he said. Dolce told CNN he was not boycotting the artist: "I love the music of Elton John." He said he believed they could end the dispute: "Every people resolve everything by talk... we start to talk, the problem is resolved." The pair said they respected how people chose to live their lives, including the use of IVF, and said others should also respect differences in opinion.

Hit the link for the video.

Robert Oscar Lopez: Gay Parents Like Elton John Are Disgusting Terrorists

"The completely petulant and histrionic response from gay parents like Ryan Murphy to Dolce & Gabbana's comments can give average Americans a small taste of what children in such homes will have to deal with. You can't be a good parent and want to have absolute control over what your kids think and feel, in addition to what the whole world thinks and feels about you and your kids. It's a recipe for emotional abuse of whoever is under your power. Look at the punitive urge, the lust for vengeance, the despotism. That is what I see in Ricky Martin, Jeremy Hooper, Ryan Murphy, and Elton John.

"These are men who will terrorize human beings if they can, if they are within their striking distance. They acquired children the way they get everything they want in all aspects of their lives: through economic leverage, intimidation, and sheer arrogance. Imagine being a helpless and confused child longing for a mom, and being under the power of a dad who throws out clothing and calls for all-out destruction of anyone who hints that you have lost something by being denied a mom. Imagine not one such man lording over you, but two. This is horrible. These people are disgusting." - Robert Oscar Lopez, writing for his personal blog.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In September 2014 Lopez petitioned the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to stop gay marriage in Texas because he used to be a prostitute. In April 2014 Lopez filed an anti-gay amicus brief in support of Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage. Last March 2014 Lopez declared that gay men are turning surrogate mothers into breeding slaves. In 2013, in addition to appearing on stage at an anti-gay Manif Pour Tous rally in France that was supported by neo-Nazis, Lopez testified against LGBT equality before several state legislatures and he co-signed an anti-gay homocon brief to the Supreme Court in support of DOMA. You really must read the Media Matters take on Lopez' trilogy of gay erotica.

Haters Are Thrilled That Italian Designers Dolce & Gabbana Oppose LGBT Rights

Hate group leader Austin Ruse writes at Breitbart:

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, founders of the eponymous fashion house, have come out strongly against gay marriage, the notion of gay families, and the use of surrogacy to procreate. The billionaire pair, who used to be romantically linked, gave an interview with the Italian magazine Panorama, in which they said, “The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offspring and rented uterus. Life has a natural flow; there are things that cannot be changed.”

They also said, “Procreation must be an act of love. I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Uteri for rent, semen chosen from a catalogue,” Dolce stated. Gabanna said, “The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging.” The pair have long been outspoken about gay marriage. In 2013, when the London Telegraph asked them if they had ever considered getting married, they answered, “What? Never!” Dolce said, “I’m a practicing Catholic.”

Elton John has called for a boycott:

In an Instagram post on Sunday morning, John said: “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as ‘synthetic’. “And shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF – a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children. “Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana.” The Czech-American former tennis star Martina Navratilova, who married her girlfriend in December, tweeted in support: “Wow – I had no idea. It will be interesting to see if this ridiculousness hurts them in the bank. BoycottDolceGabbana.”

GEORGIA: Atlanta Resident Elton John Denounces License To Discriminate Bill

"Simply put, this bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It promises religious freedom, but let’s be clear: No one’s religious freedom is at risk! Both the Georgia Constitution and U.S. Constitution very explicitly protect this right. What SB 129 will really do is institutionalize the hate some people hold in their hearts against other people. It will turn back the clock on the progress we have made — not only in the fight against HIV, but also in the struggle for a more equal and just society.

"To be clear, I firmly believe in freedom of religion. Everyone has the right to worship as they choose. But I also believe in justice, equality and the rule of law. We can’t just let people refuse to follow a law because they don’t like it. And we can’t just grant special exemptions that allow people to discriminate at will.

"In this country, if you don’t like a law, you can work to change it. And if enough people agree with your point of view, you’ll succeed. That’s the beauty of democracy in America. And that’s why I’m writing this essay. I hope enough people, once they realize the harmful intent behind SB 129, will join me in fighting it. No one should be discriminated against because of who he is, or what he looks like, or because of a disease he happens to have. My dear friend Eli fought and lived through a time of progress, and so should we. We cannot afford to turn back the clock as we fight for an AIDS-free future in Georgia, across the country and around the world." - Elton John, writing for the Atlanta Forward.

UPDATE: I'm told that the above essay will appear in tomorrow's Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

RELATED: There's a poll in Elton's post that needs to be freeped.

He's Not Sir David Furnish

Sir Elton John married his partner of 21 years last week, but unlike the spouses of straight male Brits with a royally-bestowed title, David Furnish did not gain a courtesy title. Via Pink News:

When a man with a title marries a woman, his wife automatically receives a female courtesy title – meaning that if he had married a woman, Sir Elton’s wife would be Lady John. However, as the honours system was not updated to reflect the changes to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) law, Mr Furnish is not able to use a title – and will remain Mr Furnish. The Equality (Titles) Bill 2013 attempted to change the rules – which also deny titles to male spouses of women with honours – but the legislation did not progress. The law was changed, however, to ensure that gay men could not become Queen or Princess of Wales by marrying a future King or Prince of Wales.

Elton John & David Furnish Get Married

Via the Guardian:

Sir Elton John and David Furnish have officially married – exactly nine years after they tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony. The veteran musician married his partner at their Windsor estate on Sunday, with a number of stars expected to attend the ceremony. John has posted a photo of himself, pen in hand, sitting next to Furnish at a desk, with a piece of paper in front of them, and wrote: “That’s the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony! ShareTheLove DavidFurnish”. John took to Twitter on Saturday to direct people to the couple’s Instagram accounts, tweeting: “Join Elton John and David Furnish as we share special moments from our Wedding tomorrow £ShareTheLove”.

The couple is adding more photos to their Instagram account.

BRITAIN: Elton John To Marry

Next week Elton John and David Furnish will get married after 21 years together.

The couple is said to have invited just 50 of their closest friends and family to their home in Windsor, England to watch them exchange vows. They will tie the knot on December 21st: a celebration of their 21 years together, and the anniversary of their 2005 civil partnership. The move comes after Britain passed legislation on Wednesday to allow couples to convert their civil partnerships to marriages. The rumoured guest list includes Victoria and David Beckham, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and Elizabeth Hurley. John, 67, and Furnish, 52, met in 1993. The singer told Parade magazine they "fell in love very quickly" and work hard to keep their relationship strong. Their young sons Zachary and Elijah will be the ring bearers.

 RELATED: Elton angered activists worldwide in 2008 with the below message..

We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage. I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership. The word 'marriage,' I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.

Bright Light Bright Light & The Pink Singers - Everything I Ever Wanted

Welsh gay singer/songwriter Rod Thomas, who records as Bright Light Bright Light, has released a charity single for World AIDS Day. Thomas is currently touring with Elton John and proceeds from the single go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Bright Light Bright Light - Arms Of Another

Scruffy Welsh cutie Rod Thomas, aka Bright Light Bright Light, is currently opening on Elton John's European concert tour, which comes to Brooklyn's Barclays Center on New Year's Eve.

BRITAIN: Pop Music Stars Perform Beach Boys Classic God Only Knows

With a cast of new performers, the BBC has restaged its 1997 star-studded take on the Beach Boys classic, God Only Knows. Via the Guardian:

As in 1997, the BBC has succeeded in gathering together a fairly staggering array of stars. Joining Brian Wilson, the song’s writer, are Sir Elton John, One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams. Jake Bugg, Lorde, Emeli Sandé, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Brian May, Dave Grohl, Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Danielle de Niese, Nicola Benedetti, Eliza Carthy, Baaba Maal, Jamie Cullum, Jaz Dhami, as well as the BBC’s Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne, Katie Derham, Gareth Malone and Jools Holland. They are joined by the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Sir Elton John is the only survivor from Perfect Day. The song is accompanied by a lavish video filmed at the disused Alexandra Palace Theatre in London, which hosted the first BBC broadcast more than 90 years ago.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

HomoQuotable - Elton John

"The church hierarchy, the traditionalists, might be up in arms about it but times have changed. If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him, as the Christian person that he was and the great person that he was, saying this [gay marriage] could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that is what the church should be about." - Elton John, speaking with Sky News. John went on to praise Pope Francis, saying, "He's excited me so much by his humanity."

Quote Of The Day - Elton John

"While The Normal Heart is a product of a specific time, it is not an artifact. There is still an AIDS crisis -- not only in sub-Saharan Africa, but right here in the America, in your state, in your community. And, just as in 1985, it is silence, fear and stigma that continue to drive the epidemic. Today, African-Americans represent 12% of the national population, but they account for 44% of Americans living with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gay and bisexual men comprise only 2% of the American population, but they represented 30% of the nation's HIV infections in 2010.

"Around 4,000 Americans are infected with HIV each year because of injection drug use, and one in seven HIV-positive Americans pass through a correctional facility each year. The crisis is particularly acute in the American South, where homophobia is rampant. I hope HBO's production of The Normal Heart will compel a new generation to act up. There is so much work still to be done, but there's also so much potential. The characters in The Normal Heart, living as they did in the 1980s, didn't understand what they or their friends were dying of, and they didn't have treatments to manage the disease. They hardly knew how to protect themselves.

"Today, we know how to protect everyone, and we have the ability to treat every single person living with HIV. Yet AIDS continues to prey upon the most vulnerable in our society: the poor, the incarcerated, sex workers, drug users, and those living in regions where intolerance and stigma are facts of life. Today, as ever, silence equals death." - Elton John, writing for CNN. The Normal Heart debuts on HBO tonight at 9PM.

Elton John AIDS Foundation Creates HIV Fund In Frankie Knuckles' Name

Via Chicago Pride:

Sir Elton John is honoring the memory of legendary DJ, record producer and remixer Frankie Knuckles by establishing the Frankie Knuckles Fund to support HIV information, testing and treatment among black communities in Africa, America and the U.K. "Frankie was such a lovely man and a great talent and his legacy provides a powerful voice to reach out to people, particularly men of color, about their essential role in helping to create an AIDS-free future," said John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Knuckles died of diabetes complications on March 31st.

Bright Light Bright Light And Elton John - I Wish We Were Leaving

Two weeks ago I posted the audio. Here's the video.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John - I Wish We Were Leaving

I've been posting clips by Welsh gay artist Rod Thomas for seven years and I've always thought he was going to be huge. His latest might finally break him through. Via the Guardian:

The first single and title track from sophisticated electropop connoisseur Bright Light Bright Light, aka Rod Thomas', new EP I Wish We Were Leaving wasn't supposed to be a duet. In a story I think we all can relate to, Thomas was working on the song when he received a phone call from close personal friend Elton John who wanted him to know how much he enjoyed his debut album, 2012's Make Me Believe In Hope. "From then I kept hearing his voice on the track," Thomas explains. "In time I played him I Wish We Were Leaving and he added his vocals. Although it wasn't written as a duet, I love that his voice taking lead in the second verse is a reminder that every relationship has two sides and two voices." For Elton it meant working in a slightly different way to what he's been used to: "Working with Bright Light Bright Light was a challenge for me as I love electronica but am quite ignorant on the recording process. I had to sing in a completely different way which I really enjoyed."