McKellen Leads London Walk of Shame

Sir Ian McKellen launched the ‘Commonwealth Walk of Shame’ protest in London today starting outside the Nigerian High Commission. The walk protested against the criminalization of LGBT+ people in 29 Commonwealth member states under colonial-era laws originally imposed by Britain. Many of those attending the protest were LGBT+ refugees who had fled persecution in from 6 Commonwealth nations that have a maximum sentence of life in prison. In Uganda, Brunei & some northern Nigerian states LGBT+ relations can carry the death penalty. Sir Ian McKellen stated, “No one should face prison, violence or death simply for being themselves & loving another person. Yet across most of the Commonwealth, LGBT+ people are still treated as criminals. Many of these laws are relics of the British Empire. The least we in Britain can do is stand in solidarity with those fighting to overturn criminalization. I am proud to support this march & the brave activists leading the struggle for LGBT+ equality.” Deborah Birunji Nabisere of Out & Proud Africa who has fled persecution in Uganda added, “I know what it means to live under laws designed to erase your humanity. We are marching because silence has protected persecution for far too long. Commonwealth leaders cannot celebrate unity while millions of LGBT+ citizens live in fear.” Peter Tatchell concluded, “For decades, Commonwealth leaders have failed to end the persecution of LGBT+ people. Twenty-nine Commonwealth countries still criminalize homosexuality, mostly under British colonial-era laws, in direct violation of the Commonwealth Charter’s commitment to equality & non-discrimination. Across the Commonwealth, millions of LGBT+ people continue to face arrest, imprisonment, violence & discrimination in employment, housing, education & healthcare.” The event was organized by the Peter Tatchell Foundation among others.

For More Info…