Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Elton John leads calls condemning Suella Braverman’s gay asylum comments
Elton John and his partner David Furnish have warned Suella Braverman that she “risks further legitimising hate and violence” against LGBTQIA+ people after stating that being gay isn’t reason enough to seek asylum in the UK.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram last night, the couple wrote that they are “very concerned about the UK Home Secretary’s comments stating how discrimination for being gay or a woman should not be reason enough to qualify for protection under international refugee laws.” During an appearance at the American Enterprise Institute, a centre-right think tank in Washington DC, on 26 September, Braverman acknowledged that “there are vast swathes of the world where it is extremely difficult to be gay, or to be a woman”. “Where individuals are being persecuted, it is right that we offer sanctuary,” she continued. “But we will not be able to sustain an asylum system if in effect simply being gay, or a woman, and fearful of discrimination in your country of origin is sufficient to qualify for protection.” READ MORE: Suella Braverman says being gay isn’t reason enough to claim asylum In their statement, John and Furnish reminded Braverman that the “extremely difficult” environments she alluded to are a lot worse than she mentioned. “Nearly a third of all nations class LGBTQ+ people as criminals and homosexuality is still punishable by death in 11 countries,” they wrote. “Dismissing the very real danger LGBTQ+ communities face risks further legitimising hate and violence against them. “Leaders need to provide more compassion, support and acceptance for those seeking a safer future.” “The silence by supposedly pro-LGBT+ Tory MPs is deafening” There has been widespread backlash to Braverman’s comments, with the Home Secretary being accused of “grandstanding against” the LGBTQIA+ community.
Leila Zadeh, Executive Director at Rainbow Migration, a charity that helps LGBTQIA+ people through the asylum and immigration system, said she was “appalled” by
