What rubbish!

Controversy is brewing in Tobago over the archdeacon’s opposition to Sir Elton John’s headlining act at the Tobago Jazz Festival.

“The artiste is one of God’s children and while his lifestyle is questionable he needs to be ministered unto. His visit to the island can open the country to be tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle,” the clergyman said.

PEOPLE! Really!? Aren’t we, in the Caribbean, a little further along the common sense pathway than this? Tell the church leaders to spend more time ministering to the lecherous, pedophile priests and pastors rampant in our churches, and leave Sir Elton the hell out of it. So now Tobago and the homophobic region is international headlines news, just in time for CWC 2007. What? Like no one attending the World Cup is gay? Stupid, stupid, stupid crap like this just makes my blood boil.

His visit to the island can open the country to be tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle.”

Say wha’? Elton John performing in Tobago will make people become homosexual? Are these people for real? The man owns a house on Mustique and has for years – I sincerely doubt that anyone on Mustique has “turned gay” because of Sir Elton’s landownership.

Festival organizer Anthony Maharaj, however, insists the artist is coming. “Elton John is coming as what he is, one of the world greatest performers. He has performed in every country around the world. In Christian countries there has never been an objection,” said Maharaj. “He is not coming here to preach about what lifestyle people should have. This country should be honored to have Sir Elton John perform in Tobago.”

Elton John has a reputation for being a bit of a diva, and not taking any crap from people, and I am hoping that he unleashes a public hailfire of vitriol on the Tobagonian church officials. They deserve it.