Sir Ian McKellen has joined activists and LGBTQIA+ refugees in London to protest the continued criminalisation of LGBTQIA+ people across much of the Commonwealth.

The veteran actor and long time equality advocate launched the “Commonwealth Walk of Shame” on May 30 outside the Nigerian High Commission.

The demonstration highlighted the ongoing impact of colonial era anti-LGBTQIA+ laws that remain in force in 29 Commonwealth member nations. Campaigners say many of the laws used to target LGBTQIA+ people were originally imposed during British colonial rule and remain in place decades after independence. According to organisers, six Commonwealth countries still allow life imprisonment for same sex relations, while Uganda, Brunei and some northern Nigerian states can impose the death penalty.

The Commonwealth comprises 56 member nations representing around one third of the world’s population. Human rights groups have long criticised the organisation for failing to address anti-LGBTQIA+ laws despite commitments to equality and non discrimination contained within the Commonwealth Charter.

Many participants in the march were LGBTQIA+ refugees who had fled persecution in Commonwealth nations.

Speaking at the launch of the protest, Sir Ian McKellen said:

“No one should face prison, violence or death simply for being themselves and loving another person. Yet across most of the Commonwealth, LGBT+ people are still treated as criminals.”

“Many of these laws are relics of the British Empire. The least we in Britain can do is stand in solidarity with those fighting to overturn criminalisation. I am proud to support this march and the brave activists leading the struggle for LGBT+ equality.”

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