Sir Elton John turns 60 this Sunday, and has taken the opportunity to speak out against the homophobia that sees men and women persecuted and attacked every day, all over the world, just because of those they love. “Homophobia is far from dead. My 60th birthday wish is that we all stand up for basic human rights,” Sir Elton told the UK's Guardian newspaper yesterday. “For many, basic rights are still a matter of life and death. Individuals suffer because of their sexuality every day. Last year William Hernandez had a gun pressed against his neck, as he stood in the street outside the El Salvador offices of his gay rights organisation, Entre Amigos. William and his colleagues speak out for gay rights in El Salvador and had been protesting against political moves to amend the constitution to formally prevent gay marriage. “'We will kill you before you can get married,' said his attacker. “The offices of Entre Amigos had been broken into and ransacked two nights before. Nothing of value had been stolen, but details of planned events were taken and written homophobic threats were left in the offices. It was the seventh such break-in in five years.” “Amnesty International has documented laws which criminalise gay sex in over 80 countries,” Sir Elton observed, and concluded his article by asking readers to sign up to Amnesty International's campaign for authorities in El Salvador to provide additional security measures to ensure William Hernandez's safety. Sir Elton's full article and Amnesty International's campaign are at the links below. Ref: UK Guardian (m)