Elton John urges Ukraine to accept LGBT people
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Elton John urges Ukraine to accept LGBT people, 12 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d0452e.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 12, 2015
Elton John performing in Kyiv in June 2012 to raise awareness for Ukraine's AIDS epidemic.
British singer and composer Elton John has called for Ukraine to give stronger support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) community.
John, who is gay and a veteran campaigner on gay rights, spoke on September 12 to business and political leaders at the annual Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv.
"Accepting people regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation is today the measure of an open, tolerant, and democratic society," he said.
The singer urged Ukraine's business leaders to accept LGBT people in the workplace, saying policies "designed to repress LGBT citizens ... hinder economic development."
In an interview with the BBC, John also criticized what he called Russian President Vladimir Putin's "ridiculous" attitude to gay people.
Russia passed in 2013 a law banning so-called gay propaganda. Last year, Putin said gay people have nothing to fear in Russia as long as they "leave kids alone" – suggesting that gays might prey on children.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and the BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
