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Star says 'up yours' to PM
29/11/2006 07:40 - (SA)
Sydney - Outspoken British pop icon Sir Elton John has delivered a blunt public message to Australian Prime Minister John Howard over his opposition to gay marriage: "Up yours".
The gay superstar became one of the first in Britain to "wed" in a new legally-recognised civil partnership with longtime partner David Furnish last December.
"It was just a commitment I wanted to make because I love him, and vice-versa, and it was just a great day," the singer told the Seven Network late on Tuesday while on a concert tour of Australia.
When the famously direct star was asked what message he would like to pass on to Howard regarding his views on gay marriage, John irreverently replied: "Up Yours".
Howard earlier this year shut down plans to allow gay marriages in one of the country's territories, saying the government of the Australian Capital Territory had no right to pass such a law.
He denied the move was homophobic. "It is not a question of discriminating against them," he said.
"It is a question of preserving as an institution in our society marriage as having a special character and if you look at the legislation, what it effectively says, a civil union is not a marriage, but it will be treated for all purposes as being equivalent to a marriage," he added.
John, 59, said earlier this month that religion should be outlawed because it lacks compassion and promotes hatred of homosexuals.
- AFP
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South Africa
