Elton John is absolutely gay. In fact, he’s one of the world’s biggest gay icons.
Let’s explore when he came out, his dating history, and more. Elton flies the rainbow flag proudly, and he’s been an inspiration for many young men and women struggling to come out of the closet.
When did Elton John come out as gay?

Elton came out as gay well before it was widely accepted – back in 1992. He came out in a Rolling Stone interview.
Elton had previously come out as bisexual in 1976. Remember that, back then, it wasn’t as simple and easy to come out as it is today.
Note: the fact it wasn’t accepted has caused many to speculate that Elvis might have been gay, too, but we found no evidence of that.
Elton John’s complicated relationship history

Even thought Elton John is a proud gay man today, it wasn’t always easy or simple for him. He’s actually been married to a woman in the 1980s.
He married German sound engineer Renate Blauel, and after their marriage, she faded away from the limelight before briefly re-entering when she sued him in 2020 after he revealed facts about their relationship in his autobiography that he wasn’t supposed to by legal agreement.
Elton then married Canadian filmmaker David Furnish in 2014. The couple have been happily married ever since.
Here’s a deeper dive into Sir Elton’s love life over the years:
A Relationship in the Spotlight: Renate Blauel
In 1984, Elton surprised many when he married German recording engineer Renate Blauel. The couple had met while working on Elton’s album “Too Low for Zero,” and their relationship quickly progressed. However, their marriage was short-lived, as they divorced in 1988. Elton later admitted that he had been struggling with his sexuality during their marriage and that the relationship had been an attempt to deny his true identity.
Coming Out and Embracing His True Self
Elton publicly came out as bisexual in a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, and in 1988, following his divorce from Renate Blauel, he revealed that he was gay. This marked a significant turning point in Elton’s life, as he began to live more authentically and embrace his true self.
Finding Love with David Furnish
In 1993, Elton met Canadian filmmaker David Furnish at a dinner party in London. The couple began dating and embarked on a loving and supportive relationship that has endured for nearly three decades. In 2005, they entered into a civil partnership, and in 2014, following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom, they married in a lavish ceremony.
Parenthood and Family Life
Elton and David have two sons, Zachary, born in 2010, and Elijah, born in 2013, both via surrogacy. The couple has been open about their journey to parenthood and their commitment to providing a loving and stable home for their children. They often share glimpses of their family life on social media, showcasing the love and happiness they share as a family.
Elton once said Jesus was gay
Never one to shy away from controversial statements or just speaking his mind, Sir Elton once said that Jesus Christ, the purported son of God, was gay. Specifically, he called him a “super intelligent gay man.”
Naturally, the comments triggered some backlash from fundamentalist Christians, who view homosexuality as a sin. Elton went on to say Jesus would back gay marriage if he was around today, and he had the backing of plenty of gay Christian activists.
Is Elton John bisexual?
Some might ask this based on the fact he married Renate Blauel, but Elton himself has denied it. He has stated clearly that he is a gay man and is not interested in women.
Again, remember that, back then, gay men and women faced a lot more persecution than they do in most of the world today. Perhaps this marriage was an attempt to cover things up and appear straight.
Unlike fellow gay icon Marlon Brando, there’s no evidence to suggest Elton swings both ways other than a brief failed marriage, which suggests he doesn’t.
So, Is Elton John gay? Yup – he’s a gay icon!
Yes, absolutely. Sir Elton is among the gayest men on the planet. He wears it proudly and has inspired many to come out of the closet over the years. Along with Neil Patrick Harris and some others, Elton is an inspiration to many gay men.