Call to Deal and End Homophobia in Glasgow

                                                                            

A protest against homophobia in the Commonwealth will be held at Downing Street later to draw attention to the issue ahead of the Games in Glasgow.

Of the 53 member countries, 42 criminalise homosexuality.

Political campaigner Peter Tatchell is calling on David Cameron to speak out against homophobia.

A Glasgow conference will examine the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the Commonwealth later this week.

The Peter Tatchell Foundation says 42 Commonwealth countries criminalize homosexuality, with penalties up to life imprisonment in at least seven member states and the death penalty in parts of northern Nigeria and rural Pakistan.

'Non-discrimination'

Mr Tatchell, has previously written to the organisers of Glasgow 2014 urging them to make sure that all Commonwealth countries competing at Glasgow pledge their commitment to Article 7 of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution.

Article 7 states: "There shall be no discrimination against any country or person on any grounds whatsoever, including race, colour, gender, religion or politics."

Human rights campaigners also want the prime minister to declare his support for non-discrimination.

Mr Tatchell said: "Given the extreme homophobia and transphobia in most Commonwealth countries, it is very unlikely that most national selection committees would allow a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or inter-sex (LGBTI) athlete to compete at Glasgow.

"David Cameron can help by making clear that such discrimination is incompatible with Commonwealth Games values and rules.