Elton John has urged Australians to legalise same-sex marriage, recalling the “sadness” he caused his ex-wife.
In the emotional social media post, the 70-year-old refers to his short-lived and tumultuous marriage to sound engineer Renate Blauel. The duo agreed to marry over a chicken curry dinner in Sydney, Australia and exchanged I dos in a 1984 Valentine’s Day ceremony. They divorced in 1988.
At the time sources claimed their romance had simply “wilted,” but the icon revealed to the public shortly thereafter that he was gay.
“Many years ago, I chose Australia for my wedding to a wonderful woman for whom I have so much love and admiration,” he wrote on Instagram. “I wanted more than anything to be a good husband, but I denied who I really was, which caused my wife sadness, and caused me huge guilt and regret.”
He added: “To be worthy of someone’s love, you have to be brave enough and clear eyed enough to be honest with yourself and your partner.”
The Rocket Man hitmaker has since found happiness — and acceptance — with husband David Furnish. The duo married in 2014 after same-sex marriage became legal in the U.K. and are proud parents to sons Zachary, six, and Elijah, four.
Elton and Renate Blauel, a german sound engineer, met in 1982 while making the musician’s Too Low for Zero album.
The iconic singer-songwriter has since found love and happiness with partner David Furnish.
“Almost 24 years ago, I met the person with whom I could be fully myself. When we married in 2014, it felt like that fact was accepted by the world,” he continued. “For David and I, being able to openly love and commit to one another, and for that to be recognised and celebrated is what makes life truly worth living. That acceptance and support makes us want to be as kind, responsible and productive members of society, as well as the best parents, that we can be.”
Elton, who posted the plea alongside an image from his wedding to David, went on to address Australia directly.
“I love Australia. I love its spirit, it’s lack of pretence, it’s passion. I hope it can embrace the honesty and courage that seeks gay marriage as an expression not of desire but of love. #loveislove #marriageequality
@davidfurnish”
Now, because the Australian senate rejected the same-sex marriage plebiscite, a postal vote is gripping our nation. The voluntary vote — expected to cost around $122 million — has attracted the attention of some of Australia’s biggest celebrities, with many taking to social media throw their support behind the ‘Yes’ vote.
Hugh Sheridan, who is perhaps best known for his role in Packed To The Rafters, recently expressed his disbelief that Australia hasn’t yet recognised same-sex marriage.
“We are all humans, all unique, all different. Everyone deserves the right to love whoever they fall for, because love is a gift and should be celebrated, cherished,” he wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue threw her support behind the ‘Say I Do Down Under’ campaign. She dubbed Australia “backward” when it comes to marriage equality, while highlighting that “the Earth didn’t cave in” in countries where it is legal.
Jesinta Franklin too has openly spoken about her feelings towards same sex marriage.
“It makes me feel so ashamed of my country,” she told Marie Claire magazine in April. “People are constantly saying, ‘I can’t believe you don’t allow gay marriage’ and all I can do is agree.”
In a beautiful gesture, she even wears an ‘acceptance ring’ between her wedding rings — part of a campaign by Airbnb to promote marriage equality in Australia.
Bravo!
