Ian McKellen joins march for LGBTQ+ equality in Commonwealth countries | Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen attended a march against the criminalization of LGBTQ+ people in Commonwealth countries, describing it as a “terrible situation”.
The Lord of the Rings star and activist joined protesters in central London to highlight laws in 29 Commonwealth countries where same-sex relationships remain illegal.
In six of these countries, LGBTQ+ people face life imprisonment, while Uganda and Nigeria still impose the death penalty.
Before addressing the crowd, Sir Ian told the Press Association: “When Britain had an empire, it applied the laws we have in this country, including laws against homosexuals, to countries far away from here.
“Those laws have rightly been repealed in this country where homosexuals live freely and openly with the rest of the population, but those old laws, those British laws, those foreign laws, remain trapped in the remnants of the British empire now known as the Commonwealth.
“Unfortunately, half of the Commonwealth countries remain committed to these outdated laws, and our challenge to them today is to live up to the Commonwealth’s standards and declaration and repeal them.”
The demonstration, billed as the “Commonwealth Walk of Shame”, was organized by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network.
Following speeches by Sir Ian and Nigerian activist Babatunde Akanwale Osunseyi, marchers set out to protest outside the high commissions of eight Commonwealth countries that criminalize LGBTQ+ people.
They started outside the Nigerian High Commission building before heading to buildings in Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Sir Ian noted that although it was not a “massive march”, he hoped “the word will get back to people” in the countries where they were supported.
He said: “This is a sincere show and I hope this news reaches people who live in hiding because they are afraid of the laws of the land and the treatment of citizens.
“This is a terrible situation and I think anything we can do to show our support would be appreciated.”
The crowd held banners calling on King Charles to “apologize on behalf of previous monarchs” and calling out “75 years of homophobic persecution”.
The Lord of the Rings star told the crowd that this demonstration was “not about hate” but about “the love of justice, the love of equality.”
Much of the anti-LGBTQ+ hatred seen in Africa and Asia was “exported there” by “draconian” colonial laws, he said.
Asked what he hoped the show would achieve with its show of support, Sir Ian noted the lack of discussion on the issue.
He said: “Perhaps they could pay a little more attention to what the Commonwealth is actually doing and not doing.
“One of the things he hasn’t done is discuss this problem.
“This has never been on the agenda and perhaps events like this will push politicians to speak out on such a worrying issue.”
