Elton John at International AIDS Conference: 'I shouldn't be here today' (with video)

BY STACY A. ANDERSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Elton John says he should be dead because of his self-destructive lifestyle decades ago.

"By all rights, I shouldn't be here today," he told the International AIDS conference on Monday.

But, he said, people including strangers showed him compassion as he battled drug addiction and came to terms with his sexuality. He said he's been sober for 22 years and has a loving partner and son.

John said he believes people with AIDS deserve the same love, compassion, respect and understanding he received when he "hit rock bottom."

"We have to replace the shame with love," he told the audience. "We have to replace the stigma with compassion. No one should be left behind."

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