George Michael Fears He May Be Hounded Out Of US
for Gay.com UK
12 July 2002

Gay star George Michael fears he may be hounded out of the US,
following the release in the UK of "Shoot The dog, which questions
the relationship between George Bush and Tony Blair.

Despite the fact that the single is not being released in the US,
George believes that the hate campaign has now become so vitriolic
that he may never be allowed to return to the US.

The star told the Mirror: "It's been heavily implied that I was
actually an al-Qaeda sympathiser. Because of that I cannot return to
America, even though my partner lives there."

George, who is dating Texan Kenny Goss and owns a mansion in Beverly
Hills, also hit out at right-wingers who he claims have launched a
smear campaign against him here because he is a "gay man with a big
mouth".

On ITV's Tonight he answers critics, who have accused him of courting
controversy to boost his flagging career, when he tells Sir Trevor
McDonald: "This would be the most stupid publicity stunt anyone ever
pulled. I mean look at the publicity I've got out of it. I'm not
stupid. I knew I was going to walk into a wall of criticism".

The single features outspoken lyrics and is accompanied by a cartoon
video mocking Dubya's gung-ho response to the September 11 attacks.

Bush and Blair are depicted as gay lovers and George himself ends up
in bed between Tony and Cherie Blair. Clips will be shown for the
first time with McDonald's interview - screened tonight at 8pm.