Legendary British musician and philanthropist Elton John graced the lunch hour of the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv on Sept. 12, deepening his eight-year relationship with billionaires Victor and Elena Pinchuk in the fight against AIDS and for equal rights.
John, 68, was accompanied by his
partner, David Furnish, on at least his fifth visit to Ukraine. He came with a
simple plea for Ukrainians to support tolerance and equal rights for all –
regardless of race or sexual orientation.
Ukrainians still have much progress
to make in accepting homosexuality, John said, citing the foiled attempt by 250
people to hold a gay pride parade in Kyiv in June. John noted that the location
had to be kept secret and that twice as many riot-police officers were called
to duty as marchers. And still, the singer noted, the gay-rights marchers were
attacked.
“The march lasted all of 10
minutes,” John said in Kyiv’s Mystetskyi Arsenal. “This happened in this
city weeks ago. So I am telling you we have a long way to go.”
John said that as Ukraine tries to
break free from its old patterns and create a “new” nation, it should adopt the
values of tolerance and respect for human rights. Not only is it the morally
right stance, but John said that the economy will be more prosperous when
employers embrace diversity.
The Elton John Foundation and the
Elena Pinchuk Anti-AIDS Foundation have worked together since 2007, and njow sponsor
40 projects in Ukraine to help people with HIV and AIDS. Globally, John – whose
net worth runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars – said that he has
sponsored projects promoting health and equal rights that have helped millions
of people in many countries.
“Please protect the human rights
and basic dignity of the people who show up to work for you,” John said. “It is
not only the morally right thing to do…It’s the smart thing to do. Human
capital is what drives business…Treat your staff brilliantly, whether they are
gay or black or Chinese or whatever. It’s a very simple thing. As human being
we overcomplicate things. Start a new process of thought…that will bring great
fortune to Ukraine.”
John said that people hide their
sexual orientation because “they fear they will lose the job, lose the
affection of family and friends and fear being physically assaulted.”
Accepting people “is the measure of
an open, tolerate and democratic society,” John said. “I ask to reach for a
level of compassion you don’t think is possible.”
John singled three lawmakers out
for public praise for their efforts to promote equal rights for gays. They are
Svitlana Zalishchuk, Mustafa Nayem and Serhiy Leshchenko, all of President
Petro Poroshenko’s bloc.
John said that the world has “two
things that can be bring people together who hate each other – music and sports,”
John said.
Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner can be reached at [email protected]
