Elton John blasts anti-gay nations

British singer Elton John blasted Russia and eastern Europe governments for discrimination against gays, saying such bigotry was thwarting the fight against Aids, as scientists announced disappointing results in the quest for a cure.

In a sudden tirade at the second day of a major conference, John, a seasoned Aids campaigner, gave voice to years of frustration and spoke of the plight of gays oppressed in many nations.

“If there was not this bigotry and hatred, then this disease could be eliminated far quicker than you could ever think,” John said at the Amsterdam gathering.

“What it comes down to is that these countries are discriminating badly against LGBT people.”

He slammed governments for limiting access for gay people to testing and treatment.

“It’s holding us back, and until we can get that idea out of our heads that gay people are lesser, then I’m afraid we’ll be sitting here in 20 years discussing the same thing.”

It came just hours after he teamed up with Britain’s Prince Harry to launch a $1.2bn (R15.9bn) initiative to break the cycle of HIV transmission dubbed the MenStar Coalition and targeted at young men, among whom infections are on the rise.

“Young people are the only age group where HIV infections are rising, not falling,” John said. On Monday, researchers reported setbacks in a number of studies and trials.

“A cure remains a top scientific priority,” researcher Sharon Lewin, of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne, said.

“However, what we have learnt, I think over the last decade: this is going to be a very difficult scientific challenge.” –