This from Owen Jones, is, from my perspective pretty spot on:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/26/george-michael-defiant-gay-icon-sex-life-lgbt-rights?CMP=fb_gu
Without his musical talent no one would have heard of George or his sexuality.
His death and rememberance is about his achievement in the musical world.
Not his sexuality, God knows he was hounded enough by stupid journalist in life for his antics.
No and NO, George like every other star whether musical or other should not be remembered for their sexuality because it was not their sexuality which made them famous or gave them their talent.
To be honest they/you are doing the gay rights movement no favour in posting such things or writing such things. Because frankly like many of my gay friends I believe that if you accept homosexuality as normal then like heterosexuality you don't paint a person by this when their Talents are what made them known.
My gay friends say there will always be bigots while we constantly tell those who are bigots that they are wrong not to believe that being gay is natural. Most people now on both sides of the fence are accepted by friends and family who love them. Why should Fred Bloggs really matter when they can do nothing which affects them?
Sick to death of people jumping on the gay wagon, when George is celebrated for his music and not his sexuality. His sexuality...being gay was not an achievement. If every gay person believes it to be natural then why, why make George Michaels death about his sexuality and not his warmth as a person, artist, composer, and recording artist?
I certainly hope when Cliff Richard casts of his mortal coyle they don't make it about his religion and not his talent as an artist. You can see Frank Sinatra put his talent and his way of life all down to God and blessings. So that is fair enough. But even he saw that George should be grateful for his talent.
TALENT is what made all those men famous NOT their sexualities or their religion.
Yes! I personally believe without God creating them there would be no talent.
But I am aware when remembering them for their talent and achievement we do them a disservice if we make that about sexuality.
So rest in peace George,if they will let you. A great talent, performer and a great voice. He was an all rounder.
That is what people will miss. It is all about George and his musical talents coming to an end and his legacy he has left.
Nothing more and nothing less. Let us keep this about George and what he achieved in his life.
Not a stage for bigots and gay rights to have their say.
I understand where you are coming from Trent, but this is NOT the place for it.
This is the place to remember George for his talent and achievement in the music world not his sexuality. For his sexuality was not an achievement. We all have a sexuality. It isn't a talent.