Greenbelt 2010: Peter Tatchell on LGBT freedom & persecution

Peter Tatchell spoke on the topic of ‘The struggle for queer freedom in Africa’ at 7pm on 28^th August, in the Hebron venue.

Protections for race, religion and gender under European human right law, but no specific protection for those of professed LGBT orientation.
Homosexuality criminalised in 70 countries including 46 members of Commonwealth.
Carries death penalty in around 7 countries.
Commonwealth Secretary General Mr Kamalesh Sharma (Indian diplomat, in post since April 2008) has declined to grant meetings on subject of LGBT rights, or to speak out about them.
Referred to a draft bill before Ugandan Parliament which would impose death for ‘repeat offenders’; 3yr prison terms for anyone, be they parent, pastor, school teacher who refuse to report a lesbian or gay person within 24hrs; and life imprisonment for touching with homosexual intent.
Believed hard-line approach in Africa derived from former colonial rule; perceived best way for Northern Hemisphere campaigners not to appear to be interfering was therefore to support activists already working on the Continent.
Touched on intolerance in Malawi and raiding of offices promoting safe sex in Kenya.
South Africa taking a lead in tolerance, but police reportedly often turn blind eye to ‘corrective rape’ of lesbian women.
Even poorer understanding of transsexual issues in Africa.
Accused Archbishop of Canterbury of putting church unity before human rights and colluding with “homophobic leaders” rather than “standing up for what he believes.”
Accused Christian Institute and Muslim Council of Britain of colluding on Section 28, fostering, and age of consent.
Tatchell engaged in 10yr campaign of letter writing to MCB and speaking with senior Muslim figures after meetings, before any results.
Approach angles have been that MCB should separate personal views from the Law of the Land as it also applies to all LGBT people, and that discrimination is not a faith value.
Reported breakthrough with MCB came with 2007 goods and services provisions, when MCB said it would not support protests or legislation that discriminated against a sector of the community.
He stated that some senior Muslims are now professing the view that within a liberal democracy, in the public space, all should be equal before the Law.
On inverse footing, Tatchell repeated perspective that street evangelists with heteronormative views such as Harry Hammond, should not be criminalised for freedom of opinion; that inciting violence should be the red line for criminalisation; but he did think for example Harry Hammond should be protested against.
Recommended LGCM as a helpful resource network.