There will an LGBT+ protest on Monday 11 March, 12 noon to 3 pm, outside of Westminster Abbey.
The Commonwealth’s 75th anniversary service at Westminster Abbey will be attended by the leaders of thirty Commonwealth countries that criminalise queers. Shamefully, they’ll be welcomed by the Church of England and the United Kingdom Government. But that’s no surprise!
The Peter Tatchell Foundation is coordinating a protest at 12, mid-day, just as the homophobic leaders arrive. It will include LGBT+ people who have fled oppression, intimidation and violence in Commonwealth countries. Help our voice be heard, and please attend if you can.
Peter Tatchell told QX:
“As the Commonwealth celebrates, we mourn! We are calling out the 30 Commonwealth leaders who violate the equality principles of their constitutions and the Commonwealth Charter. They preside over the state-sanctioned persecution of their LGBT+ citizens.
“Thirty out of 56 Commonwealth countries criminalise homosexuality, mostly under laws imposed by Britain during the nineteenth century when it was the colonial power. Six Commonwealth countries have life imprisonment. Millions of LGBT+ Commonwealth citizens are at risk of arrest, jail time, mob violence and discrimination in employment, housing, education and health care.
“These anti-LGBT+ laws violate the Commonwealth Charter, which pledges that all member states are ‘committed to equality’ and are ‘opposed to all forms of discrimination.’
“Most Commonwealth leaders refuse to recognise that LGBT+ rights are human rights. For 75 years, they’ve vetoed any discussion of the issue at their heads of government meetings.
“Countries that criminalise LGBT+ people should be suspended from the Commonwealth”.
The protest is urging all of the Commonwealth governments to:
Decriminalise same-sex relations
Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
Enforce laws against threats and violence, to protect LGBT+ people from hate crimes
Consult and dialogue with their LGBT+ organisations
There are six Commonwealth countries that have a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for same-sex acts and which are Bangladesh,Pakistan, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda.
