Actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen is set to lead a protest in central London on Saturday, 30 May highlighting the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people across much of the Commonwealth.
The demonstration, organised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network, will draw attention to laws in 29 Commonwealth countries where same-sex relationships remain illegal. In six of those countries, LGBTQ+ people face life imprisonment, while three retain the death penalty.
The protest, described by organisers as a “Commonwealth Walk of Shame”, will begin at noon outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue. McKellen will formally launch the march before participants walk to the High Commissions of Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Organisers say the protest aims to challenge what they describe as the Commonwealth’s long-standing failure to recognise LGBTQ+ human rights. They argue that many of the laws now used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people were introduced during British colonial rule and continue to be enforced decades later.
“The Commonwealth is an association of nations that were formerly part of the British Empire,” organisers said. “Britain exported its homophobic laws to these countries, and many still retain and enforce them.”
They added that Commonwealth leaders have repeatedly refused to address LGBTQ+ rights at biennial summits, despite pressure from activists.
McKellen, who recently turned 87, has been a long‑standing supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and is expected to play a symbolic leadership role in the march. Organisers have said there will be a group photograph with the actor but no individual photo opportunities, so that the focus remains on the protest itself.
The walk is expected to conclude at around 4pm, with a short break in Hyde Park where refreshments will be provided by Out and Proud African LGBTI.
Organisers said they hope the protest will amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ activists living under repressive laws and provide moral support to campaigners in countries including Uganda, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Jamaica.
The groups behind the demonstration are also encouraging donations to support their Commonwealth campaign, which includes funding an underground LGBTQ+ support centre in Uganda for young people facing family rejection, violence and police harassment.
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion