Elton John May Be Banned from Performing in Tobago for Being Gay

His gayness, Sir Elton John, may been banned from the island of Tobago for being an openly public homosexual. The island country of Tobago, as well as other Caribbean countries, have laws in place to deny entry to any person being openly gay. These edict(s) are written into their entry (immigration) laws, which to paraphrase essentially say, " you can't come in if your gay."

One religious official is making public his disdain for Elton John's coming to the country to perform. Archdeacon Philip Isaac warned in one Jamaican newspaper, "his visit can open up the country to being tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle. His lifestyle is questionable and as one of god's children he needs to be ministered to."

Archdeacon Philip Isaac of Trinidad and Tobago, along with other religious leaders there, want to ban him because his sexuality does not conform with biblical teaching. Homosexuality on Tobago is "widely condemned. " He also openly condemned the singer's marriage to long-time partner David Furnish, quoting the bible, "a man shall not lie with a man." The Archdeacon and religious leaders there also have intimated that they believe that letting Sir Elton John perform at a concert on the island would be paramount to letting him influence island natives to become gay,or "open the country to be tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle."

Festival organizer Anthony Maharaj countered, "He is coming as one of the world's greatest performers-not to preach about what lifestyle people should have. This country should be honoured to have Sir Elton John perform in Tobago." Elton John is scheduled to appear at the Plymouth Jazz festival on Tobago in April. And promoters of the event are insisting that Elton John will close the event as the headliner on its third day on April 29th.