British singer and influential LGBT personality George Michael passed away on Christmas day. His career spanned decades from the eighties being part of the duo Wham! and releasing hits such as “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and the holiday hit “Last Christmas” and then launching a solo career with his album "Faith"
For many people, George Michael was their first gay icon. His cool style and popularity as a musician preceded his coming out in 1988 after being arrested in a public bathroom for lewd behavior (which he would later reference in a music video). He spoke candidly in an interview about figuring out his sexuality with CNN.
Many people and celebrities have come out after his death was announced to say that they were grateful for him and his inspiration. George Michael had an enduring positive and alluring spirit about him that was translated through his music and style which cheered the hearts of those who heard his music which especially was important those who identified with his struggle as a gay man in a time before it was widely accepted.
Ellen DeGeneres was one of the celebrities who tweeted her sorrow at his passing.
I just heard about my friend @GeorgeMichael's death. He was such a brilliant talent. I'm so sad.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 25, 2016
Elton John also tweeted his condolences, calling George Michael “the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist.”
As a bisexual woman myself, George Michael’s passing is a signal of the changing times in the LGBT community. The world has come a long way since the first pushes for LGBT rights, but there is still a long way to go in changing the law to create true equality for LGBT people. In addition to the law, widespread attitudes globally to LGBT people are still in flux and until everyone can at least be recognized as people, there is a lot of work to be done. It is artists and revolutionaries like George Michael, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres who normalize LGBT lifestyle by making them public that create change in the world. With his passing, I hope that the younger generation of LGBT people and allies can make the world a more acceptable and beautiful place.
I HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER APOLOGISE FOR MY SEX LIFE ! GAY SEX IS NATURAL, GAY SEX IS GOOD! NOT EVERYBODY DOES IT, BUT.....HA HA!
— George Michael (@GeorgeMichael) May 13, 2011
Beyond being an icon for LGBT people, George Michael is also an inspiration for everyone shown through the stories of his generosity that are being released now that he has passed away.
Without even telling the woman he donated the money to, George Michael donated £15k to her for IVF treatment.
A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k.
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) December 26, 2016
He is also said to have made major contributions to charities for children and Sports Relief. He left very large tips for struggling service workers and gave a free concert for NHS nurses. Much of the work George Michael did was anonymous and undocumented acts of kindness. According to Buzzfeed, some of the work he publically did included donating the Wham! royalties of "Last Christmas" to Ethiopian famine relief and the proceeds from "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to London Lighthouse (an AIDS hospice) and the children's charity Rainbow Trust.
George Michael is an example to all of us to be unapologetically yourself and to be an empathetic and generous person. In light of the current social climate and the New Year, we should consider the life of George Michael, who admittedly was not a perfect person, but is a good example of kindness in action and confidence in yourself.
Rest in Peace, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016)
