Tobago Christian leaders want Elton John banned

Reuters, Mar 26, 2007 6:02 pm PDT
Elton John should be banned from performing at a jazz festival in Tobago because his homosexuality could influence young people, some Christian leaders on the Caribbean island said on Monday.

A group of Christian churches have failed to persuade the Tobago House of Assembly, which oversees the administration of the island, to join the call for a boycott of John's appearance at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in late April.

But they said they would pursue the campaign against John, who married his partner David Furnish in 2005.

"We feel it can have a negative social impact. There are some who may not be sure of their sexuality and one has to be careful about how this can create impressions on impressionable minds," pastor Terrance Baynes told Reuters on Monday.

The singer celebrated his 60th birthday at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, playing more than 30 songs from a career spanning four decades.

Jazz festival organizer CL Communications dismissed calls for a boycott and said the show would go on.

"Elton John is coming as what he is, one of the world's greatest performers," said Anthony Maharaj, adding that the country should be honored to have John perform in Tobago, the smaller island of energy-rich Trinidad.

"His band has performed in every country around the world. .... He is not coming here to preach about what lifestyle people should have," he said.

More Artist News

Elton will support Ukrainian boy he can't adopt

Dec 8, 2009 6:00 am PST

Elton John's partner says the musician was devastated that he wasn't allowed to adopt an HIV-positive Ukrainian toddler, but plans to support the boy anyway. The 62-year-old pop star met 14-month-old Lev at a home for HIV-positive childre...

Elton John says he's back on his feet

Nov 17, 2009 8:51 am PST

Elton John says he's back on his feet after being sidelined for the flu and an E. coli bacterial infection. The entertainer spoke about his recovery before Monday's annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which honored former ...

Elton John leaves hospital, back on stage Nov 14

Nov 6, 2009 9:39 am PST

British singer Elton John left hospital on Thursday after being treated for a serious case of e-coli bacterial infection and influenza that forced him to cancel a string of concerts, his representative said on Thursday. Spokesman Gary F...

Official: No Ukrainian adoption for Elton John

Sep 14, 2009 10:00 am PDT

Elton John won't be able to adopt a 14-month-old HIV-positive child from Ukraine because the pop star is too old and isn't married, the government said Monday. Adoption and gay rights advocates expressed regret about the determination by ...

Billy Joel ill, postpones 2nd upstate NY show

Jul 25, 2009 7:00 pm PDT

Billy Joel and Elton John have postponed a second upstate New York concert on their top-grossing tour after Joel fell ill with flu-like symptoms. The Times Union Center in Albany says in a release the pair have decided to delay Monday's s...

Photos

Loading...
View All Photos »

Videos

1-6 of 46 videos
Prev | Next
View All Videos »

Artist on Last.fm