Elton John Says U.S. Is ‘Going Backwards’ With Florida’s ‘Disgraceful’ Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Elton John recently spoke out about his opinions over new anti-LGBTQ laws in America.

“We seem to be going backwards. And that spreads. It’s like a virus that the LGBTQ+ movement is suffering,” John told United Kingdom’s Radio Times. 

He specifically spoke about the laws in Florida, calling them “disgraceful.” 

He continued on to say, “It’s a growing swell of anger and homophobia that’s around America.”

John is referring to the multiple anti-LGBTQ laws that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has championed.

These laws will include the right for doctors to deny any patient care based on their own beliefs, a ban on using preferred pronouns in public schools and prohibiting healthcare that affirms gender for transgender people who are younger than 18.

There is also the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, where teachers cannot speak about sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K through three. 

There has been an increase in the number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws passed this year than any other year in US history. President Joe Biden has condemned these laws. 

John is currently on tour for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. This is the last tour John will go on as he plans on spending more time with his family. He has two sons, Zachary and Elijah, and is married to David Furnish. 

“I don’t want to drop dead on stage,” he said. “I want to be with my boys.” 

“Thank you Radio Times for speaking with me ahead of Glastonbury Festival this weekend!” John wrote on social media. “This is going to be one special performance and I can’t wait to take to the Pyramid Stage on Sunday…not long now, Worthy Farm 🚀”

John originally scheduled for the tour to end in 2021, but he had a change of plans due to COVID and hip surgery in 2021. 

During the tour, he traveled all over Europe and in the U.S. His last date will be July 3 in Stockholm.