Queen to Sign Charter Against Discrimination

In the first time the Queen has voiced support for gay rights in her 61-year reign, she is set to sign a new charter which aims to tackle homophobic discrimination.

At what will be her first public appearance since leaving the hospital where she was treated for gastroenteritis, the Queen will sign a new Commonwealth Charter, and will make an address explaining her commitment to it.

During the live television broadcast, Queen Elizabeth II, will, in what is being described as a “watershed” moment, signal her support for gay rights, a well as gender equality, and the charter which aims to boost human rights across the Commonwealth.

The charter reads: “We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.”

The “other grounds” clause in the charter is intended to refer to sexuality, however specific references to gay and lesbian people were omitted due to some Commonwealth countries with anti-gay laws, reports the Daily Mail.

The Queen is expected to refer to rights which must “include everyone”, and insiders are noting the appearance as a nod to inclusivity.

A diplomatic source said: “The impact of this statement on gay and women’s rights should not be underestimated. Nothing this progressive has ever been approved by the United Nations. And it is most unusual for the Queen to request to sign documents in public, never mind call the cameras in.”

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, said: “In this charter, the Queen is endorsing a decision taken by the Commonwealth.” But he added: “The Queen does not take a personal view on these issues. The Queen’s position is apolitical, as it is on all matters of this sort.”

Prior to tomorrow’s appearance, the Queen has been in talks with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who has led the initiative. Last month, he said: “We oppose discrimination or stigmatisation on any grounds.”

Royal aides have also been in discussion with Foreign Secretary William Hague, who has backed the drive for better gay rights, and gender equality.

Gay rights advocates have voiced strong opinions in the past, on the fact that the Queen is a patron of over 600 charities, however none of them are for gay rights. Queen Elizabeth II has never publicly voiced her support of equal rights for gay people.

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall, said the Queen had taken “an historic step forward” on gay rights, and said “The Palace has finally caught up with public opinion.”

He also said it was significant that the Queen was publicly acknowledging “the importance of the six per cent of her subjects who are gay. Some of the worst persecution of gay people in the world takes place in Commonwealth countries as a result of the British Empire.”

- Pink News

Tsvangirai still standing firm on gay rights

Zimbabwe MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has defended his stance on homosexuals saying their rights need to be respected and protected.

Addressing thousands of villagers at a rally at Pashu Growth Point in Binga yesterday, Tsvangirai said no-one should be persecuted for being a homosexual.

President Robert Mugabe has described homosexuals as worse than pigs and dogs.

ZANU PF has gone on overdrive, attacking the Prime Minister for his remarks during an interview with the BBC over the rights of gays.

“I am not gay,” Tsvangirai said.

“I am not going to prosecute anyone who is gay. I will protect their rights. I will not persecute them.

“It is shocking that ZANU PF want to pursue issues which are not useful which do not bring bread and butter to the table, “said Tsvangirai."

-zimbabwemetro

Related articles

• LGBT Rights to be Embedded in Zimbabwe Constitution? (itsaqueerworld.blogspot.com)
• Can Zimbabwe's PM Undo The Country's 116 Years Of Homophobia? (queerty.com)
• The death-knell for institutionalised homophobia in Zimbabwe? (zomgorlackthereof.blogspot.com)

LGBT Rights to be Embedded in Zimbabwe Constitution?

Could Zimbabwe really be the second African country to build LGBT protection into it's constitution? Zimbabwe, where the tyrant Robert Mugabe has earned the enmity of Peter Tatchell for his vehement  hostility to gay men and lesbians?

At first sight, it seems unlikely, but it may well be realistic. Since the last stolen and hotly disputed election, Zimbabwe has been governed by an uneasy national unity government, with Mugabe as executive president, and Tsvangirai as Prime Minister, while the politicians, assisted by neighbouring South Africa, are involved in protracted negotiations over a new constitution.  Mugabe is known to be ailing, and fresh elections under a new constitution must be held within a year or two. Mugabe cannot continue in office too much longer: whether from human mortality or democratic process, he is clearly in the departure lounge. It is too soon to predict with confidence who will replace him as the next head honcho, but it could well be Tsvangirai. 

Twenty years ago, South Africans were engaged in similar negotiations between political foes over a new, democratic election. The document that emerged was the first in the world to build LGBT protections into a bill of rights. In Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai has now reversed his own long-standing antipathy to homosexuals, and stated that he supports the principle of equality, and freedom from discrimination, for all.

Zimbabwe's PM Morgan Tsvangirai in gay rights U-turn

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has reversed his position on gay rights, saying he now wants them enshrined in a new constitution.

He told the BBC that gay rights were a "human right" that conservative Zimbabweans should respect.

Last year, Mr Tsvangirai joined President Robert Mugabe in opposing homosexuality.

The fractious coalition formed by the two leaders has promised political reforms ahead of next year's elections.

Zimbabwe is in the process of drafting a new constitution, which will be put to a referendum ahead of the elections.

Homosexual acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe, as in most African countries where many people view homosexuality as un-Christian and un-African."

-full report, and video interview, at BBC News

Related articles

• Botswana Leader Wants Homosexuality Decriminalized

• Zimbabwe's PM Morgan Tsvangirai Reverses, Supports Constitutional Protections of Gay Rights (towleroad.com)
• Change in Zimbabwe (paper-bird.net)

BBC News - UK party leaders back global gay rights campaign

The United Nations says gay men in India are denied HIV care because of discriminatory laws

 "David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband have given their backing to a new organisation which aims to promote gay rights around the world.

Kaleidoscope will campaign against homophobic prejudice and violence, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, where punishments for homosexuality can be severe.

The prime minister said such treatment was "simply appalling".

Commons Speaker John Bercow will host a reception to launch the campaign.

'Global beacon'


At present, homosexuality is illegal in 76 countries, including 38 within the Commonwealth. At least five countries - the Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania and Sudan - have used the death penalty against gay people.

One of Kaleidoscope's founders, Bisi Alimi, said: "I was the first person from Nigeria to openly declare my sexuality on national television. As a result I was attacked, tied up and beaten in my own home in Lagos. I was forced to leave my country.

-more at BBC News 

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'via Blog this'