You may have not been invited to Elton John's Cockney themed 60th birthday bash, but that doesn't mean you can't give him a birthday present. The openly gay super star has penned a Guardian op-ed in which he urges you (yes, you) to help combat homophobia, particularly in nations where the government suppresses sexuality.

One country John specifically addresses is Poland, where the education minister recently proposed a ban on gay speak in the nation's schools. John writes:

Twenty-two years ago I came to Gdansk and met Lech Walesa in his home. At that time he was a hero to everyone in the world as he fought for freedom and his own human rights. I am just a musician. I play and I hopefully make everyone's troubles disappear for a couple of hours ... I am also a gay man ... and I know that in Poland recently there has been a lot of violence towards gay people. And I urge you ... this is a time for compassion. There is enough hatred in the world. Leave gay people alone. We are just trying to be ourselves. Love is what it's all about ... and the Polish people have always been full of love.

Shout the bigots down [The Guardian]