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Elton John posts touching tribute to his husband in plea for marriage equality

Elton John performing in Norway.
Elton John performing in Norway. Photo: Ernst Vikne

Elton John, like Ellen DeGeneres before him, has taken to Instagram to share a loving tribute to his husband, David Furnish, while calling for Australians to vote yes on marriage equality.

Australia is holding a nationwide, non-binding postal survey on legalizing same-sex marriage. If most of the country votes in favor, parliament is expected to take up the issue.

John married Furnish in 2014, once it became legal in England. The couple has been together since 1993.

“I’m so excited to be back in Australia for a series of shows,” John wrote on the post, a photo of he and Furnish tying the knot, by announcing he was “excited to be back in Australia for a series of shows” before reflecting on another key time in his life.

“Many years ago, I chose Australia for my wedding to a wonderful woman for whom I have so much love and admiration,” he continued. “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,” he shared. “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,” he added. “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.”

Australians have until November 7 to get their surveys in, and results will be published November 15.

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I'm so excited to be back in Australia for a series of shows. 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, its lack of pretence, its 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

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