George Michael
speaks on BBC News

George Michael went on BCC News 24 on July 27 to set the record straight about his alleged sexual encounter in London's Hampstead Heath park and the media blitz that followed. As to the gay and lesbian community's outrage at his saying that "cruising" is a part of our culture, Michael responded, "I am only talking about my life. I'm not here to justify cruising. I think that is a very homophobic standpoint to take. It's private. That's the point." He went on to say that photographers are stalkers and that "I should not have to worry about who's watching me at 2:30 in the morning." Ultimately, Michael essentially reiterated his argument for cruising, saying, "A very large part of the male population, gay or straight, totally understands the idea of anonymous and no-strings sex."

Michael, though clearly outraged, was collected, discussing his plans to sue the photographers who have been following him for harassment and libel. He also plans to sue Norman Kirtland, the man who claims to have had a sexual encounter with him in the park that evening, saying that he has never seen nor met him. Most interesting: Michael said he was investigating suing the secondary sources who picked up the original story printed in Rupurt Murdoch-owned tabloid News of the World; he then acknowledged that his partner, Kenny Goss, had called off their wedding until he paid him 1 million pounds to smooth things over. Michael has no plans to sue News of the World itself, however, stating, "You find someone who's happy to sue Rupurt Murdoch in the modern world and I'd be happy to meet them." (The Advocate)