Gay activist demands Williams gives libel damages to gay charity

Quoted from: http://contactmusic.com

'British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS has been told by a leading gay rights activist he should donate the libel damages he won on Tuesday (06DEC05) over false claims he is a closet homosexual to a gay charity.
PETER TATCHELL, the founder of UK gay pressure group Outrage, insists the ANGEL singer should give away the money he was awarded from The People newspaper and Star and Hotstars magazines - because he has made the public believe he sees homosexuality as a negative thing.
Tatchell - who has grabbed headlines in Britain with a series of high profile publicity stunts - says, "Whatever Robbie's intention, his legal action has created the impression he thinks it is shameful to be gay.
"If he sees nothing wrong with being gay, why did he sue for libel? He has previously teased his gay fans with comments appearing to confirm that he has had gay relationships.
"In the light of his legal action, were these teasing remarks a cynical attempt to exploit the gay market? We don't know whether Robbie is gay or straight. It is irrelevant. Our concern is that he feels libel action is appropriate to counter suggestions that he might be covering up homosexuality.
"If Robbie wants to make amends, and reassure his gay fans, he should donate his libel winnings to a hard-pressed gay charity like Lesbian and Gay Switchboard."

09/12/2005 17:37 '