Elton John accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of “hypocrisy” with regards to his stance on LGBT rights and insurance policies, citing the censorship of the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” as a cause for why he doesn’t take Putin at his phrase.
In an interview with The Financial Times on Thursday, Putin mentioned he’s prepared to “let everyone be happy, we have no problem with that,” however criticized sure way of life decisions for worry that it might “overshadow” different “traditional family values.”
“I find duplicity in your comment that you want LGBT people to ‘be happy’ and that ‘we have no problem in that,’” John mentioned in a press release obtained by TheWrap. “Yet Russian distributors chose to heavily censor my film ‘Rocketman’ by removing all references to my finding true happiness through my 25 year relationship with David and the raising of my two beautiful sons. This feels like hypocrisy to me.”
Also Read: Elton John and ‘Rocketman’ Filmmakers Condemn Russian Censorship of Film
John beforehand issued a press release condemning the censorship of “Rocketman,” by which The Guardian reported {that a} Russian distributor had reduce all scenes within the movie that includes homosexual intercourse or males kissing as a consequence of legal guidelines banning “homosexual propaganda,” an estimated 5 minutes in all of whole footage.
Further, the caption forward of the movie’s credit says that John now lives fortunately along with his husband and that they’re elevating their kids collectively. The Guardian quoted a Russian movie critic who mentioned that in Russian model of the movie, the credit learn that John has established an AIDS basis and continues to work along with his musical accomplice.
John and the filmmakers on the time mentioned they had been unaware that the adjustments to the movie can be made.
“I am proud to live in a part of the world where our governments have evolved to recognise the universal human right to love whoever we want,” John continued in his letter to President Putin. “And I’m truly grateful for the advancement in government policies that have legally supported and allowed my marriage to David. This has brought us both tremendous comfort and happiness.”
Also Read: ‘Rocketman’ Fact Check: Did Elton John Really Take His Stage Name From John Lennon?
Speaking to the Financial Times, Putin mentioned that the beliefs of “liberalism” had grow to be “obsolete” and additional threw water on the concept Russia’s insurance policies are homophobic.
“I am not trying to insult anyone because we have been condemned for our alleged homophobia. But we have no problem with LGBT persons. God forbid, let them live as they wish,” Putin mentioned Thursday. “But some things do appear excessive to us. They claim now that children can play five or six gender roles.”
Putin continued: “But this must not be allowed to overshadow the culture, traditions and traditional family values of millions of people making up the core population.”
“Rocketman” is a biopic and jukebox musical about John’s life starring Taron Egerton and directed by Dexter Fletcher. The movie is in theaters now.
Read John’s full letter to President Putin under:
Dear President Putin,
I used to be deeply upset after I learn your latest interview within the Financial Times. I strongly disagree along with your view that pursuing insurance policies that embrace multicultural and sexual variety are out of date in our societies. I discover duplicity in your remark that you really want LGBT individuals to “be happy” and that “we have no problem in that”. Yet Russian distributors selected to closely censor my movie “Rocketman” by eradicating all references to my discovering true happiness by my 25 yr relationship with David and the elevating of my two lovely sons. This appears like hypocrisy to me.
I’m proud to reside in part of the world the place our governments have advanced to recognise the common human proper to like whoever we wish. And I’m really grateful for the development in authorities insurance policies which have…
