Elton brings star power, message of tolerance to Kyiv
Sunday, September 13 2015
Elton John graced the lunch hour of the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv on September 12, 2015, deepening his eight-year relationship with billionaires Victor and Elena Pinchuk in the fight against AIDs and for equal rights.
Elton 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, Elton said, citing the foiled attempt by 250 people to hold a gay pride parade in Kyiv in June 2015. Elton 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,” Elton 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.”
Elton 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 Elton 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 now sponsor 40 projects in Ukraine to help people with HIV and AIDS. Globally, Elton – 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,” Elton 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.”
Elton 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,” Elton said. “I ask to reach for a level of compassion you don't think is possible.”
Elton 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. He said that the world has “two things that can be bring people together who hate each other - music and sports.”
