Sir Ian McKellen led protesters through central London on Saturday as campaigners highlighted anti-LGBTQ+ laws that remain in force across dozens of Commonwealth nations.
The veteran actor headed the “Commonwealth Walk of Shame”, organised to draw attention to the 29 member states where same-sex relationships remain criminalised.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation organised the event alongside the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network.
Six of those countries impose life sentences on LGBTQ+ people, while Uganda and Nigeria impose the death penalty for some same-sex offences.
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Sir Ian addressed demonstrators before they embarked on their route through the capital’s diplomatic quarter.
Speaking to the Press Association before the march, he reflected on Britain’s historical role in introducing many of the laws.
“When Britain had an empire, it introduced into countries far away from here the laws that we had in this country, including the laws against gay people,” he said.
The actor noted that while such legislation has long since been abolished in Britain, many of the colonial-era laws remain in place across former territories.
Sir Ian called on member states to repeal anti-LGBTQ+ laws and embrace equality
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“Those old laws, those British laws, those foreign laws remain stuck in the remnants of the British Empire now known as the Commonwealth,” Sir Ian said.
He urged member states to “live up to the standards and declaration of the Commonwealth and repeal them”.
Demonstrators stopped at eight high commissions representing countries that continue to criminalise LGBTQ+ people.
The route began at the Nigerian High Commission before continuing to the diplomatic missions of Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
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Nigerian activist Babatunde Akanwale Osunseyi joined Sir Ian in addressing the crowd before the procession began.
Protesters carried placards calling on King Charles to “apologise for previous monarchs” and highlighting what organisers described as “75 years” of homophobic persecution.
Sir Ian told those assembled that the demonstration was “not about hatred” but represented “a love of justice, a love of equality”.
He also acknowledged the modest size of the gathering, describing it as “a heartfelt demonstration” rather than a mass mobilisation.
“I hope word will get back to people who are some of them living in hiding because they’re frightened of the laws of the land and treatment by fellow citizens,” he said.
The actor described the situation facing LGBTQ+ people in some Commonwealth countries as “appalling” and expressed hope that even small gestures of solidarity would be appreciated.
Sir Ian also criticised the Commonwealth’s silence on the issue.
Sir Ian McKellen is openly gay and has been a prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate for decades
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“One thing it doesn’t do is ever discuss this problem. It’s never on the agenda,” he said, adding that public demonstrations could help encourage political leaders to confront the issue.
The march formed part of a wider campaign calling on Commonwealth nations to repeal laws criminalising same-sex relationships and strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ people.