Though headlines in the UK praised Queen Elizabeth for promoting gay rights in a new Commonwealth Charter without actually mentioning the word ‘gay’ perhaps she is evolving stating, “We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, color, creed, political belief or other grounds.” UK gay activist Peter Tatchell stated, “In her 61 years on the throne, the Queen has never publicly uttered the words lesbian or gay. She is a patron of hundreds of charities but none of them are gay ones. Never once has she visited or supported a gay charity. In truth, the Commonwealth Charter does not include any specific rejection of discrimination based on sexual orientation. This was vetoed by the homophobic majority of member states. While I doubt that Elizabeth II is a raging homophobe, she certainly doesn’t appear to be gay-friendly. Not once during her reign has she publicly acknowledged the existence of the LGBT community… Astonishingly, since she became Queen in 1952, the words ‘gay’ & ‘lesbian’ have never publicly passed her lips. There is no record of her ever speaking them. Even when she announced government plans for gay law reform in her Queen’s Speeches, she did not use the words lesbian or gay. Apparently, mentioning LGBT people is beneath the dignity of the monarch.” With the UK close to passing gay marriage I think it’s time that the 86 year-old Queen embraces our LGBT community.
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