British singer Sir Elton John on
Thursday encouraged Australians to vote for same-sex marriage.
John, who came out as bisexual in 1976,
married German recording engineer Renate Biauel on February 14, 1984
in Darling Point, Sydney. After his divorce, John told Rolling
Stone in 1988 that he was “comfortable” being gay.
He married filmmaker John Furnish in
2014 in the UK, 21 years after they started dating. Together they
are raising two boys.
In an Instagram post, John reflected on
his relationships as Australians vote on whether Australia should
extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples.
“I'm so excited to be back in
Australia for a series of shows,” John captioned a photo from his
wedding to Furnish.
“Many years ago, I chose Australia
for my wedding to a wonderful woman for whom I have so much love and
admiration. 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. 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.”
“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. 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. 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,” he added.