Elton John’s former lover killed himself
Gay singer Elton John has revealed that a former lover committed suicide after struggling to accept his sexual orientation.
Elton, 62, would not name the man but said he killed himself by jumping in front of a truck.
The man was plagued with guilt over his homosexuality and his Christian faith.
The star said: “Years back I had a relationship, and I had absolutely no idea in the world he was going to do this… he threw himself under a truck.
“There was so much grief.”
Elton’s civil partner David Furnish told the Sunday Telegraph: “He was so tortured by the conflicting views between his sexuality and his strong religious beliefs that he chose to take his own life.
“It is very sad indeed.”
The couple, who had a civil partnership in 2005, are working together on a play inspired by Elton’s grief over the death.
Next Fall, which opened in New York last week, tells the story of a gay couple where one man is religious and the other is not.
Mr Furnish said: “It’s the right timing for this. The religious divide between right and left has gotten wider, and so the rights of gay people never got back to where it was heading.”
Sir Elton added: “Look, we all need love. We all have the same fears and insecurities. We should all be allowed to be free.”
