Over 100,000 call for 37 countries to decriminalize gay sex
Over 100,000 people have signed a petition calling on the 37 Commonwealth countries to decriminalize gay sex.
Activists from around the world have joined together to take on the bigoted laws that derive from British colonial-era law.
The 37 out of 53 member countries account for half of the world’s nations where homosexuality is illegal.
At least nine have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for same-sex acts. Gay people can be killed in northern Nigeria and rural Pakistan.
Commonwealth countries must decriminalize gay sex
Edwin Sesange, of African Equality Foundation, launched the petition before the Heads of Government Meeting.
‘The demand for equality is no longer an issue for the minority but for the majority,’ he said.
‘I therefore thank all those who have managed to bring this issue to light.
‘These signatures represent a need which can no longer be ignored by the leadership of the Commonwealth.
‘I appeal to the leaders and other stakeholders to represent the views and voices of the innocent, oppressed, discriminated and persecuted LGBTI people. ‘
The petition is calling for:
- Decriminalize gay sex
- Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Protect LGBTI people from hate crimes
- Consult and dialogue with national LGBTI organizations
On 14 March, 15 human rights groups protested at Westminster Abbey.
Protest organizer Peter Tatchell said: ‘The Commonwealth is a homophobic institution.
‘It is a bastion of anti-LGBT+ laws, discrimination and hate crime. LGBT+ issues have never been discussed, not even once, by Commonwealth leaders at any of their summits over the last six decades.’
‘Surely in 2018 Commonwealth heads of government should address the state-sanctioned persecution of more than 100 million LGBT+ Commonwealth citizens.’
