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# Commonwealth Summit urged to end gay ban in 37 countries 
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/commonwealth-summit-urged-to-end-gay-ban-in-37-countries/
- Published: 2018-04-11T15:34:40.000Z
- Updated: 2018-04-11T15:34:40.000Z
- Description: A petition with 104,115 signatures was today delivered to the Commonwealth headquarters in London urging the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 37 Commonwealth nations that still outlaw same-sex relations.
- Author: Besi

## A petition with 104,115 signatures was today delivered to the Commonwealth headquarters in London urging the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 37 Commonwealth nations that still outlaw same-sex relations.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web-600-1-8.jpg)

**THE petition hand-in** took place just five days before the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London (April 16-20).

The petition, accepted by the Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth, **Dr Nabeel Goheer** was delivered by six LGBT+ people of Commonwealth heritage: from Uganda, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mauritius, Australia and the UK – **Edwin Sesange**, **Beth Granter**, **Phyll Opoku-Gyimah**, **S Chelvan**, **Pliny Soocoormanee** and **Peter Tatchell.**

**Petition co-organiser, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said:** *“Over 70% of Commonwealth nations are bastions of homophobic prejudice, discrimination & violence. What are Commonwealth leaders doing about it? Nothing! This petition is telling them it’s time to stop persecuting LGBT+ people.”*

*“Thirty-seven of the 53 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex relations. Nine have life imprisonment. In parts of two Commonwealth countries, Nigeria and Pakistan, homosexuality can result in a death sentence.*

*“Commonwealth leaders have refused to even discuss LGBT+ human rights for six decades. This protest is to tell them: Time’s up on blocking debate. Time’s up on legal discrimination. Time’s up on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.*

**The petition makes four demands to the leaders of all Commonwealth nations:**

♦ 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 national LGBT+ organisations

**The petition is supported by:** The Commonwealth Equality Network, Kaleidoscope Trust, Peter Tatchell Foundation, UK Black Pride, African Equality Foundation, Equality Network, African Rainbow Family, Movement for Justice, House of Rainbow, Out & Proud African LGBTI, Micro Rainbow, Africa Advocacy Foundation, Rainbow Across Borders, African Eye Trust and Manchester Migrant Solidarity.

**To sign the petition, [click here:](https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/580/647/706/?src=referrer&campaign=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.petertatchellfoundation.org%2Furge-commonwealth-heads-of-govt-meeting-2018-to-support-lgbti-rights%2F&ref=scenemag.co.uk)**