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Tag: Peter Tatchell

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  • Peter Tatchell To Lead Demonstration Outside Flagship Dolce And Gabbana Store

    Gay and human rights activist Peter Tatchell will head up a demonstration outside the Dolce And Gabbana flagship store in London on 18th March between 1-2PM

    The demonstration comes hot on the heals after the two openly gay fashion designers insulted same-sex parents and their children. The pair have also strongly opposed same-sex marriage.

    Speaking to the Italian magazine Panorama, alongside his business partner, Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce said children should be born to a mother and a father:
    “The only family is a traditional one. I’m not convinced by those I call the chemical children, synthetic babies…They are wombs for hire, semen chosen from a catalogue … psychiatrists are not ready to confront the effects of this experimentation.”
    Stefano Gabbana added: “The family is not a fad.” In 2006, he told the Daily Mail: “I am opposed to the idea of a child growing up with two gay parents.”

    LGBT rights and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation and co-organiser of Thursday’s protest, said:
    “It is hypocritical for Stefano Gabbana to oppose gay parents, given that in 2006 he expressed a desire to have a child via artificial insemination and surrogacy. He’s guilty of double standards. Gabbana wanted for himself what he now condemns other gay men for wanting.
    “These comments are not only an attack on same-sex parents but on all parents who’ve had children with the aid of fertility treatment, including thousands of heterosexual couples.
    “Dolce and Gabbana are echoing ill-informed, outdated and homophobic prejudices about gay parents. Research spanning 40 years shows that children bought up by gay mums and dads are just as happy and well-adjusted as those from traditional heterosexual families. The key to a child’s welfare is the love of their parents, not the parent’s sexual orientation.
    “They are playing into the hands of the Vatican and far right political parties that oppose gay families, said Mr Tatchell.

    The boycott trend #BoycottDolceAndGabbana trended all weekend forcing Gabbana to put out a statement yesterday saying, “It was never our intention to judge other people’s choices. We do believe in freedom and love.”

    Co-organiser of the protest, Edwin Sesange, director of the LGBT Out and Proud Diamond Group, added,
    “Please join us in sending a clear message to Dolce and Gabbana that same-sex families are loving, happy families. This issue is not about same-sex families alone but also about the many straight families who have benefited from fertility treatment. Dolce and Gabbana’s statements add to the stigma, shame, prejudice, rejection and intolerance often suffered by same-sex parents and their children. They should withdraw their statements and apologise.”

    Mr Tatchell concluded,
    “Dolce and Gabbana are entitled to their views but we are entitled to protest against them. We urge everyone – gay and straight – to boycott their clothes.
    “It’s intolerable for these designers to make millions out of the gay community and then turn around and insult our families. They’ve stabbed us in the back.
    “Dolce and Gabbana have been exploiting the gay market for decades. Having made their millions, they seem happy to trash loving, responsible same-sex parents and their children.
    “Professor Susan Golombok of the Centre for Family Research at Cambridge University is the world expert on same-sex families. She’s been studying them since 1976. Her latest research is in her new book, Modern Families, published last week. Surveying studies worldwide spanning four decades, she found that children with same-sex parents flourish, despite the stigma they sometimes face,” said Mr Tatchell.

  • Gay New Years Honours 2015 Announced

    This year’s New Year’s Honours for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans (LGBT) community, voted for by the readers of THEGAYUK magazine for the heroes that have helped, supported or fought for the LGBT Community in 2014.

    Thousands of people nominated and voted for 24 individuals, companies and organisations, which have contributed, to the community in eight categories.

    Adam Lambert, ASDA and the Naked Rowers are just some of the big names that have won the admiration of voters. Amongst those recognised were George Montague, the self-proclaimed ‘Oldest Gay In The Village’ who has just released a book about nine decades of being gay in Britain.

    This is the third year that TheGayUK has run the New Year’s Recognition, deemed to be the gay New Year’s Honours, however 2014/15 is the first year in which members of the public were invited to nominate and then vote for anyone, any company or organisation they deemed to have aided the LGBT community in the previous year. Thousands of people took the opportunity to nominate and then vote on their heroes.

    The eight categories are: Entertainment, Education, Community Project, Politics, Activism and Awareness, Sports, Health and Businesses.

    Full list of winners:

    Education:
    LGBT History Month

    Entertainment
    Adam Lambert

    Community Project
    Proud 2 Be

    Politics
    Angela Eagle

    Activism and Awareness
    Peter Tatchell & George Montague (Tied)

    Sports
    Warwickshire Naked Rowers

    Health
    London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard

    Business Of The Year
    ASDA

  • British Dance Council To Consider Banning Same-Sex Ballroom Couples

    The British Dance Council is to consider a proposed rule change that could ban same-sex couples from competing in amateur and professional Ballroom dance competitions, which may be illegal discrimination.

    A proposal from its rules sub-committee has suggested that dance partners for Ballroom dance competitions should comprise of a “man” and a “lady”.

    The proposed rule change is:
    THAT Rule 52 be titled: “Approved Competitions and Championships” and that 52(a) should read: ‘This Council recognizes a partnership to be one man and one lady in all adult amateur and professional competitions and championships unless otherwise stated.’

    The British Dance Council is the governing body of ballroom dancing in the UK. It formulates and administers the rules for all competitions. It will consider the proposal on the 21st July.

    ‘I am really distressed that the BDC is even considering banning us. We’ve put in a huge amount of effort. To exclude us will mean that we can’t dance in mainstream competitions any more. This seems so unfair,’ said Heather Devine who competes with her female dance partner Chrisi Lyons.

    Same-sex dance couples are appalled and angry about the move to exclude them from future competitions.
    Heather Devine and her dance partner of 18 months, Chrisi Lyons, are the current European Same-Sex Senior Women’s Champions, consistently reaching the finals of the same-sex A class competitions. They are registered to enter the mainstream UK Closed Championships in Bournemouth in July.

    Sarah Hughes and Diane Willmot have competed in mainstream events all over the country since 2005. They strongly object to any retrograde rule change by the BDC which would prevent them continuing to have the freedom to participate.
    John Church and his dance partner of four years, Alex, are regarded as one of the keenest and most active of the UK’s all-male ballroom dancing couples. They also resent the rule change.

    Heather Devine said: ‘These successes show their dedication to, and passion for, ballroom dancing. They are saddened that the BDC is now considering bringing in a rule change that would exclude them from continuing to be able to dance in mainstream UK dance competitions.

    ‘Contrary to claims by some supporters of the new rule, male same-sex dance duos do not have an advantage. Ballroom dancing is not like tennis or football. Power and strength are not the key to winning. Poise, musicality, expression. timing, floorcraft and presentation are the main judging criteria. This means that two men do not have an advantage over a mixed-sex couple,’ she said.

  • The Commonwealth Condemned at Pride In London parade

    African LGBT activists will march alongside the Peter Tatchell Foundation near the head of the annual Pride London parade this Saturday, 28 June, to protest against the persecution of LGBT people in 80 per cent of the 53 Commonwealth member states – many of them African nations.

    We are calling on 42 Commonwealth countries to repeal their criminalisation of same-sex relationships and to protect their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens against discrimination and hate crime – in accordance with the principles of the Commonwealth Charter,’ said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

    ‘We are urging the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July to require every competing nation to sign a pledge to not discriminate in the selection of athletes for their national team. Article 7 of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution prohibits all discrimination. But it is widely believed that most Commonwealth nations would refuse to select a LGBT athlete,’ he said.

    Peter Tatchell has written to the Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, David Grevemberg, asking him to ensure that all countries participating in the Commonwealth Games sign a non-discrimination pledge.

    Peter Tatchell helped organise Britain’s first Gay Pride march, which took place in London in 1972. He has attended every Pride London parade since then.

    ‘Forty-two of the 53 Commonwealth member states criminalise homosexuality, with seven of them stipulating life imprisonment and two of them – Pakistan and Nigeria – having the death penalty under Sharia law in some regions,’ noted Mr Tatchell.

    Marching in a joint contingent with the Peter Tatchell Foundation on Saturday will be African activists from Uganda, Nigeria and other African nations – including the African LGBTI Out and Proud Diamond Group and Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws.

    On Saturday, we are meeting at 12.30pm at the corner of Baker Street and Wigmore Street W1 (opposite Portman Square).
    The Pride London parade leaves at 1pm sharp.

    Edwin Sesange, Coordinator of the African LGBTI Out and Proud Diamond Group, said:
    ‘It is unfortunate that the Commonwealth has failed to implement its own charter on human rights, which the Secretary General has said includes rejection of discrimination against gay people and any other form of discrimination. The Commonwealth should show leadership by directly challenging homophobia and transphobia in its member states, in the same way that it eventually opposed apartheid in South Africa. The Commonwealth Secretariat says it opposes anti-gay persecution but it takes little action.’

    Yemisi Ilesanmi, Coordinator of Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws, added:
    ‘It is saddening that 80% of Commonwealth countries discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) people. In this age of democracy, every progressive nation should endeavour to protect the human rights of every citizen. No one is less of a human being because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Acknowledging and protecting LGBTI rights as human rights is a step forward for humanity. It is shameful that the Commonwealth of nations has not taken this important step. We continue to call on the Commonwealth to stand up for the rights of its LGBTI citizens. Every human deserves human rights. LGBTI rights are human rights.’

  • Valentine’s Day Carnival Outside Russian Embassy

    A carnival is due to take place outside the Russian Embassy tomorrow to celebrate Valentine’s Day, called For Russia With Love.

    The event that is being sponsored by Lush, All Out, London Roller Girls and the Peter Tatchell Foundation, is aiming to show opposition to the human rights abuses in Russia.

    The rally’s start time is 12PM until 2:00PM
    Address: Russian Embassy, Assemble corner Bayswater Road & Ossington Street, London W8 4QP
    Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

    ‘We are rallying near the Russian Embassy in London to show our opposition to the continued human rights abuses sanctioned by the Putin regime, including the new anti-­gay law banning “propaganda of non-­traditional sexual relations to minors”, which has coincided with an upsurge in homophobic and transphobic violence in the country,’ said co-organiser Juliet Chard of Lush.

    Fellow co-organiser Peter Tatchell added:
    ‘The Sochi Olympics are in full swing. This carnival is our fun way to keep up the pressure on the Russian government and show our support for LGBT Russians and all Russian victims of human rights abuses. We don’t want Putin to think that now the Olympics have started the protests are over. Let’s keep highlighting the terrible things happening in Russia and support the heroic Russian activists – gay and straight – who are defending human rights. Freedom of expression for all.’

  • Ride Out for Human Rights

    Mystery bicycle ride to landmarks of famous humanitarians & LGBTs

    If you enjoy cycling, join us for our Ride Out for Human Rights around London on Sunday 6 October, starting at 10.30am in central London – at Gays The Word 66 Marchmont Street, WC1n 1AB

    We’re inviting you to join our fun bike ride to 11 mystery landmarks associated with famous LGBTs and humanitarians.
    It’s not a race. The ride is not timed, so you can ride as fast or as slow as you wish.

    If you haven’t got your own bike, consider hiring one from the London blue bike hire scheme.
    Spread the word. Bring your friends and family.
    The Ride Out for Human Rights is a fundraiser for the for Peter Tatchell Foundation. The registration fee is £20. Find out more and register via our website.

    If you can’t join us, please consider a donation.

    We receive no government funding and rely entirely on your generous donations. Your support makes a big difference. It enables us to continue speaking out for human rights.

    Please feel free to forward this invitation to your friends. Ask them to join us.

  • INTERVIEW | Peter Tatchell

    INTERVIEW | Peter Tatchell

    Speaking to Peter Tatchell it began to dawn on me quite how influential he really is.

    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen
    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen

    A staunch figure within the LGBT community, Peter Tatchell has been campaigning for LGBT equality since 1969. A lot has changed in the 44 years that Tatchell has truly, tirelessly fought for gay rights. I ask if he expected such progress back when he started out.

    “I knew it would be a challenge and expected it would take at least 50 years to get LGBT equality,” he claims, nonchalantly.

    “It seems to have been achieved in just under 50 years. So I was a bit of a pessimist.” He laughs.

    “Obviously the next big thing for us is the battle for equal marriage. After that, some serious tidying up of other legislation is needed. Especially regarding the equality laws. For example the government still gives exemptions to religious organisations, allowing them to discriminate.”

    He pauses for a moment, then somewhat dramatically states,

    “That’s. Not. Right.”

    Over recent months, it has become quite clear that the gay community are somewhat divided on the issue. The exemption of religious institutions has caused outrage for some, yet others don’t seem to care about the issue. I ask why he thinks this is the case.

    “As much as admire Stonewall, I find their stance on equal marriage to be deeply problematic. For many years they opposed equal marriage, arguing that civil partnerships were enough. “

    I ask if he thinks Stonewall’s views have “rubbed off” on the community.

    “They only changed their minds, because of a mass rebellion by their members. Even now, Stonewall does not support equal civil partnerships for heterosexual couples.”

    I ask if this particularly bothers him.

    “Absolutely, they (Stonewall) claim that it’s up to straight people to fight that issue. Which I find very strange because in all the campaigns for LGBT equality, Stonewall appealed for straight support!”

    I can’t help but snigger at the obvious irony that he has pointed out.

    “Yet now, when many straight people want support from the LGBT community regarding equality in heterosexual civil partnerships, Stonewall are refusing to give it. The whole thing reeks of self-obsession and selfishness and frankly it’s doing the LGBT community a lot of harm, especially in the eyes of the public.”

    Whilst on the subject of inequality, I can’t resist hearing his views on the cartoonish Nigel Farage and UKIP.

    He seems to have been expecting it and his answer was quintessentially Tatchell-esque.

    Concise, adroit and beautifully acerbic

    “UKIP is the new nasty party. They’re staunchly opposed to equal marriage, claiming that same-sex couples only deserves Civil Partnerships, and what makes it somewhat worse, is that they exploiting this issue to win over disaffected Tories. Nigel Farage, whatever his intentions, is manipulating homophobia, for political advantage.”

    Tatchell can’t hide the disgust in his voice.

    “UKIP are in an alliance with several extremist right wing organisations, within the European parliament which all stand accused of racism and homophobia. There may be some members of UKIP who are not racist or homophobic, although the party as a whole attracts a whole host of deeply prejudiced supporters.

    I mention their rather shocking result in the recent by-election, to which he immedietly replies:

    “The LGBT community and liberal heterosexuals should most definitely give UKIP a wide birth and we cannot afford to become complacent.”

    Tatchell is perhaps best known for his various campaigns. I ask if he has anything planned and it would seem Tatchell is showing no signs of stopping.

    “I shall be continuing a longstanding liaison with the commonwealth to overturn the criminalization of homosexuality by more than 40 of the 54 member states. I don’t feel they are doing enough to challenge the homophobic witch-hunt in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda.”

    Judging by the shocking Ugandan campaigns such as ‘Kill the Gays’; it doesn’t seem that they are making much progress.

    Tatchell continues:

    “I am also working toward producing an MTV style video against homophobia in Football. We’re aiming to have it shown in schools and Football clubs. We are also looking to feature it on various sports channels. It has been a long time project of mine. However we are in need of some major corporate backing.”

    Tensions have also been rising between the LGBT and Muslim communities respectively. This is an issue Peter aims to solve with his newest campaign “Gays and Muslims UNITE – Fight OR Hate”

    Its primary focus is to build bridges to support LGBT Muslims and also to fight far right organisations such as EDL or The BNP.

    Tatchell is also working to ensure that straight civil partnerships become a viable option for heterosexuals. He claims that:

    “I am strongly behind the Amendment to allow heterosexual civil partnerships. This bill is about equality, which must include straight equality.”

    Peter reminds me that despite the somewhat landslide victory in favour of marriage equality, we’re not in the clear yet and should definitely not become complacent. He strongly encourages the community to lobby the House of Lords in order to show support. Tatchell adds that he is:

    “Unsure about the Lords vote, however I’m optimistic.”

    Finally, I ask him

    “Have you anything to add?”

    “Same Sex marriage is an unstoppable global trend. Across the world it is becoming an issue. We are winning although there is still a long way to go. I cannot help but find the global progress we are making utterly inspiring.”

    He smiles

    “It’s fantastic to think that countries as diverse as South Africa, Argentina and Uruguay now have same-sex marriage ahead of Britain”

    To find out more about Peter’s work and his upcoming projects, go and check out his websitewww.petertatchellfoundation.org and be sure to subscribe for regular updates.

  • PETER TATCHELL | Thatcher Extraordinary But Heartless

    The gay human rights activist and campaigner Peter Tatchell has released a strong statement on his website explaining his thoughts about the late Baroness Thatcher.

    Taking to Twitter earlier today Mr Tatchell wrote: ‘Margaret Thatcher: I commiserate, as with the death of any person. But she showed no empathy for the victims of her harsh, ruthless policies

    ‘…an extraordinary woman but mostly for the wrong reasons. Emasculated local government & civil liberties. Section 28.’

    Taking to his website at www.petertatchell.net Tatchell has released an article entitled ‘Margaret Thatcher: Extraordinary but heartless.’ Below is the article:

    “Margaret Thatcher was an extraordinary woman but she was extraordinary for mostly the wrong reasons. So many of her policies were wrong and heartless. Nevertheless, I don’t rejoice in her death. I commiserate, as I do with the death of any person. In contrast, she showed no empathy for the victims of her harsh, ruthless policy decisions,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

    “Thatcher initiated policies that paved the way for the current economic crisis: the decimation of Britain’s manufacturing base, the get-rich-quick business mentality, the promotion of the free market and the poorly regulated banking sector. This led to imbalances in the economy. The financial sector gained undue influence, with few checks and balances. These distortions were exacerbated by Blair and Brown but Thatcher began the train of events that led to the present economic meltdown.

    “In 1988, the Thatcher government legislated Britain’s first new anti-gay law in 100 years: Section 28. At the 1987 Conservative party conference she mocked people who defended the right to be gay, insinuating that there was no such right. During her rule, arrests and convictions for consenting same-sex behaviour rocketed, as did queer bashing violence and murder. Gay men were widely demonised and scapegoated for the AIDS pandemic and Thatcher did nothing to challenge this vilification. 

    “To her credit, she shattered the sexist glass ceiling in politics and got to the top in a man’s world. However, on becoming Prime Minister she did little for the rights of women. She was a macho, testosterone-fuelled right-wing politician.

    “Her political agenda was almost entirely divisive and destructive, including mass unemployment and urban decay. She emasculated local government and boosted police powers to the detriment of civil liberties. The striking miners and their families were ruthlessly crushed on her orders. She oversaw the use of police state methods. Baton-wielding police struck down peaceful miners. People travelling to support the strikers were pre-emptively arrested. Protesting miners at Orgreave were framed on false police evidence.

    “On a personal note: Thatcher once unintentionally praised me. It happened in 1981 in the House of Commons. SDP MP James Wellbeloved urged Thatcher to denounce me for advocating extra-parliamentary protests against Tory policies. She responded by saying that she had not read the remarks by the “honourable person.” This was the first and last time she ever described me as honourable,” said Mr Tatchell.

    Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, stated that local authorities in the United Kingdom: “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”

    The Act was enacted on May 24th 1988 during Thatcher’s leadership. Section 28 was eventually repealed in 2001.

    In spite of the controversy surrounding Section 28, Baroness Thatcher supported legalising homosexuality In the 1960s and in 1967 voted in favour of the decriminalising of homosexuality in England and Wales.

    Baroness Thatcher died “peacefully” today (8th April) at the age of 87, following a stroke according to her family.

    Lady Thatcher was the Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She made history as she was the first and – so far, only female to hold this position.

    She had suffered poor health for a number of years and her husband Denis died in 2003.

    In 2011 a biography film of her life was released starring Meryl Streep, grossing $114m worldwide.

  • Peter Tatchells Calls Baroness Thatcher “Extraordinary” For All The “Wrong Reasons”

    Peter Tatchell Tweets His Condolences For ‘Extraordinary’ Thatcher.

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  • Peter Tatchell Criticises The Queen For “Disrespect” To LGBT Community

    Peter Tatchell suggests Queen is ‘disrespectful’ for double standards, in PinkNews article. Does he have a point?

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