lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016 OBITUARY This file photo taken on May 11, 2011 In this Wednesday, May, 11, 2011 file photo, George Michael poses for the cameras at an event to shows British singer George Michael announce his European Orchestral tour in London. In this July 2, 2005, file photo, George Michael, left, and Paul McCartney, right, per- attending a press conference at the Royal form during the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London. Opera House, central London. George Michael: From closeted life to gay rights advocate op superstar George Michael con- want me to," he said. cealed his homosexuality, as well as Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain Pthe trauma of his boyfriend's death, haemorrhage in 1993. Whenever per- for years but later became a gay rights forming the single "Jesus To A Child" from advocate and a major supporter of HIV the album "Older" (1996), Michael dedi- campaigns. Michael, who died Sunday at cated it to Feleppa and the singer later 53, only came out as a gay man in 1998 -- said the entire album was a tribute to his nearly two decades into his career-after late partner. "Heaven sent/ And Heaven being caught in a police sting involving a stole/ You smiled at me/ Like Jesus to a "lewd act" in a public bathroom in a park child," Michael sings. He said of the in Beverly Hills, California. His sexuality album: "To many fans and the people that was by then an open secret in show busi- were really listening, I felt like I was trying ness but Michael said he did not go pub- to come out with them". lic so as not to worry his mother because This file photo taken on August 12, 2012 shows British singer George Michael performing This file photo taken on September 6, 1997 shows pop of fears about the AIDS virus in the gay 'Abuse, homophobic language' during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium stars George Michael (left) and Elton John (right) leaving community at the time. Michael later told the BBC his arrest in in London. Westminster Abbey following the funeral service of Diana, "Understand how much I love my fam- 1998 may have been "a subconsciously Princess of Wales. ily and that AIDS was a predominant fea- deliberate act" to out himself and said he ture of being gay in the 1980s and early wished he had gone public sooner. "I 1990s as far as any parent was con- don't think I would have had the same cerned," he told BBC Radio in an interview career-my ego might not have been satis- in 2007. "My mother was still alive and fied in some areas-but I think I would every single day would have been a have been a happier man," he said. Madonna, Elton John lead nightmare for her thinking what I might Following a series of run-ins with the have been subjected to," explained law, Michael told one interviewer in 2011 tributes for Michael. Initially confused about his sexu- that he blamed himself for "letting young George Michael ality, Michael said he realised he was gay gay kids down" with his antics. "My adonna and Elton John by the loss. "During an influential by the end of the 1980s. behavior meant these kids suffered abuse led tributes from around career that spanned nearly four His 1987 hit "I Want Your Sex" was and the homophobic language that is Mthe world for British pop decades, George became one of banned from many radio stations for its legal in this country," he said. The same star George Michael, who died at the most beloved pop craftsmen sexually charged video and lyrics, which year that he came out as gay, Michael his home near London on and respected entertainers," said appeared to hint at homosexuality. began his public activism by helping with Sunday aged 53. "Farewell my Portnow, whose organization "There's things that you guess/ And a documentary about six young people Friend! Another Great Artist awards the Grammies. "From the things that you know/ There's boys that affected by the HIV virus to coincide with leaves us. Can 2016 F***k Off enormous success he achieved you can trust/ And girls that you don't," World Aids Day. As part of his philanthro- NOW?" Madonna wrote in a post with pop duo Wham! to his influ- Michael sings. "There's little things you py-much of it under the radar-he was also on Instagram accompanied by a ential solo career, his extraordi- hide." a major supporter of the Terrence Higgins video of her presenting Michael nary talent had a profound Trust, a British HIV charity. with an award. Elton John also impact on countless entertainers 'Couldn't tell' "His donations contributed to a vision This file photo taken on December 23, 2011 shows British singer George published a picture of himself worldwide, and his creative con- At a concert in Rio de Janeiro in 1991, of a world where people living with HIV Michael talking about his recent illness outside his home in Hampstead in with Michael, saying: "I am in tributions will live on forever," he he met Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress live healthy lives free from prejudice and London. deep shock. I have lost a beloved said. designer who became his first love. "It's discrimination," the charity said in a friend - the kindest, most gener- Canadian musician Bryan very hard to be proud of your sexuality Facebook post yesterday. The gay rights ous soul and a brilliant artist". Adams tweeted: "I can't believe it. when it hasn't given you any joy, but group Stonewall said on Twitter: "You Michael shot to fame with the Such an incredible singer and a once you have found somebody you real- inspired many and your music will live on 1980s band Wham! and sold over lovely human being, far too ly love it's not so tough," Michael told the in the hearts of the community. You will 100 million albums in his career, young to leave us." US singer La Huffington Post in an interview. Six be sorely missed". — AFP winning two Grammies and three Toya Jackson wrote: "You have months into the relationship, they discov- Brit awards. Referring to him by given the world an amazing gift! ered Feleppa was HIV-positive a devastat- his nickname "Yog" (Yours Only What a talent! What a loss!". ing blow for Michael. "I couldn't go George), Wham! co-star Andrew through it with my family because I didn't Ridgeley said he was "heartbro- 'Your music will live on' know how to share it with them-they did- ken" by Michael's death. Many Tributes came in from outside n't even know I was gay. I couldn't tell my reactions referred to the spate of the music world too. Football pre- closest friends because Anselmo didn't music world deaths in 2016, start- senter and former England cap- ing with David Bowie in January. tain Gary Lineker tweeted: "No, Singers Prince and Leonard not George Michael as well. Cohen also died this year and Another musical great leaves us Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt this year. 2016 can just sod off." passed away on Saturday in a "Star Trek" actor George Takei Spanish hospital. referred to some of Michael's "2016 - loss of another talent- greatest hits in a tweet, writing: ed soul. All our love and sympa- "Rest with the glittering stars, thy to George Michael's family," George Michael. You've found the band Duran Duran, who were your Freedom, your Faith. It was 1980s contemporaries of Wham!, your Last Christmas, and we shall said on their official Twitter miss you." London Mayor Sadiq account. Spandau Ballet, a British Khan said Michael "brought joy to band which formed in the late millions of us" and British opposi- 1970s, wrote: "We are incredibly tion Labour Party leader Jeremy sad at the passing of our dear Corbyn hailed Michael as a friend George Michael. A brilliant "strong supporter" of gay and artist & great songwriter." Newer workers' rights. pop stars also paid tribute to the Following years of speculation influential London-born artist, about his sexuality, Michael came who was planning to release a out as gay in 1998 after being new album and a documentary arrested for committing a lewd next year. act in the public toilet of a Los "Oh God no... I love you Angeles park. The gay rights char- George... Rest in peace," wrote ity Stonewall said: "You inspired pop star Robbie Williams, while many and your music will live on fellow singer Pixie Lott paid trib- in the hearts of the community. This file photo taken on August 24, 2010 shows British singer George Michael (center), In this July 13, 1985, Britain's Princess Diana meets singers Elton John, ute on Twitter to the "beautiful You will be sorely missed." — AFP leaving after appearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in London. center, and George Michael, right, on her arrival at Wembley Stadium in and talented" Michael. In the London for the Live Aid famine relief concert for Africa. United States, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said he was "deeply saddened" Messages and candles are seen among floral tributes outside the north London home of British singer George Michael yesterday, In this Friday, Dec 23, 2011 file photo, British singer George Michael People arrive with bunches of flowers to lay in tribute outside the north London home of after news of the singer's death broke.