General Chat

Surely the point of the Civil Partnership is that people 'can' marry not how many actually do?

Divorce is at it's lowest for a long time, ( though predicted to rise next year and does not take into account co-habiting couples who split) has that more to do with the economy than staying power?

""A smaller percentage of people got married in 2008 than in any year since records began and at the same time the number of couples living together outside of marriage is on the increase"

May be - but it was pushed through parliament - at a huge cost to taxpayers too, as every parliamentary bill ill cost tens of millions of ponds - on the basis that there was a large demand. In reality, after five years, the proof is that the demand is less than 10 % as was predicted.

Even then after all that same sex can't marry. They only have a civil partnership - not quite the same in law.

"London, Dec 30 - The parents of David Furnish, who became the proud parent of a baby boy with his partner, veteran singer Elton John, flew to Los Angeles from their native Canada to meet their grandson. His parents Jack and Gladys, are in their 70s, reports mirror.co.uk. Speaking from his home in Toronto, David's younger brother Peter revealed: 'My parents are overwhelmed with joy. "

IGP lots of bills are pushed through parliament that neither I nor you ( or half the population probably) would spend tuppence halfpenny on I imagine,

What is this idea that people's views must be automatically respected? There are many views that I can't respect. And why do people have to focus on a person's sexuality when that is only one part of who that person is? If Elton John's partner was a woman we would be discussing their age - nothing would be said about their sexuality.

S

Surely the fact that Elton John married Renata when he and everyone else knew he was gay (i have no problem with gay ) and now he is partner of David Furnish would suggest to me that he is not a particularly stable person.

This is awful. I'm almost being forced to defend Elton John against some of the comments on here and he irritates the hell out of me.

SueMaid, I don't get that either:)

Sue, I don't think that suggests he's not stable more that he struggled to be at ease with himself. It was much harder for people of his generation to come out than it is for young people now.

Sue I know of several gay people ( oh I hate writing that , they are just 'people') who married or entered relationships in an effort to 'go straight', to fit in with what was expected by family and / or society.

And, re Renata, there is also the thought that he actually married her because he thought they got on well, that he liked her company as a 'person' regardless of her gender , people marry for lots of reasons, it isn't always about love and desire.

I really really liked a guy some years ago, and wanted to go out with him, but something held me back - I sensed that he would run a mile, so we stayed as friends. He came out at around the age of 32, didn't come as a huge shock! He'd had relationships with women before and I sensed that he was struggling with his feelings, and telling family/friends. In no way was he 'unstable'.

Surely the fact that Elton got married when younger has nothing to suggest that he is unstable (he irritates me too Uggers). Surely it was him trying to make himself do what he thought was expected of him (maybe by his family) because things were so much more difficult for gays then.

We also cannot 'blame' those of the much older generation who have trouble accepting all this. They were brought up in a much different world to this and it must be hard to accept. I dread to think what my Mother would make of it all if she was still alive. But that is not their fault, it was a big change when Homosexuality became acceptable and then civil partnerships. It doesn't necessarily mean they are bigoted. Just finding it hard to adjust.

Unstable - where does that come from? Wasn't that over 25 years ago that he married Renata? And hasn't he been with David Furnish for 12 years?

S

My Dad lived to the age of 98, Ann, and it was he who taught me about tolerance and accepting people for who they are. He knew some gay men when he was in the army and thought it was awful that they had to hide what they were for fear of bullying, intimidation and imprisonment.

I can see what you mean but I don't think age is an excuse for bigotry.

Gwynne

I guess it would be fair to say that none of us really know what Elton and David are really like as people. We only know what we read of them, and if the media is anything to go by alot of that is absolute tosh anyway. :>)

I do believe Sue that the persona presented to the public is often different to what goes on in 'celebrities' real life. After all - would we really want to read what colour undies they wear and what they had for breakfast. On the whole people love scandalous gossip. Going on what some of the tabloids say there are much worse parents than Elton John and David Furnish are likely to be.

S x

I am absolutely repelled by certain replies on this thread and to those I say...you have no definition of what it is like to be a parent of a gay/lesbian child. Guilty for life for giving them the extra or less chromosome in their genes. Well good for you.... there by the grace of god go I. And yes I am angry by the lack of tolerance especially in this day and age and also being the proud mother of an absolutely loving and caring lesbian daughter.

My daughter and her partner (another loving daughter to us) of 14 years are considered as having a normal loving relationship by both family and friends. I am just so proud of both of them.

It is only when I have read replies on this thread I realise that there are many people out there who are still so interolerant...I can only reiterate...there for the grace of god.

Linda

I watched the interview with Elton and Piers Morgan and Elton spoke fondly of Renate and was very respectful towards her.
I had several gay friends when I was younger, sadly we have all lost touch now as life moves on but they were better friends to me than some of my female friends and were more honest too.

I just wish the Furnish-John family all the best and lots of joy from and with little Zac

Lizx

Well said Linda B.
We are what we are.

If more people embraced what other feel we'd all live in a more harmonious society.