New Delhi: Elton John's wedding to his partner of 14 years is to give the gay rights a boost.
British pop star Elton John on Sunday hailed the introduction of civil partnerships in Britain that will allow him to "marry" his male partner, and issued a call to fight against homophobia worldwide.
John and his long-term love David Furnish will have their relationship legally recognised in a ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, west of London, on December 21, the day the new law comes into force in England and Wales.
The singer told The Observer newspaper that the civil ceremony giving the couple rights virtually equal to married heterosexual couples would be "the happiest day of my life".
But he added: "I will be thinking, however, about those in many countries less fortunate than we are. In many countries, having a same-sex partner is still outlawed."
A long-standing supporter of human rights group Amnesty International, John criticised violence against gay men and women in Jamaica and said it showed how important it was for governments and laws to set a good example.
"It is precisely because homosexuality is a criminal offence, punished with up to 10 years' hard labour in Jamaica, that ordinary people feel it is okay to hate and exclude gay people," he said.
"It does not take long for this hate to turn to violence." John rounded on African leaders for using a "platform of homophobia" to build up their reputations as well, as Polish president-elect Lech Kaczynski's recent comments denouncing homosexuality.
In a rallying call to the gay community, John said: "I strongly believe we can make a difference if we show solidarity with those who are bullied and ill-treated for their sexuality by bombarding the authorities with letters, faxes and emails making it clear that we know about these abuses and calling for them to end."
He added: "While David and I enjoy and celebrate our freedom on Wednesday, we do not forget our brothers and sisters who still live in fear."
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