The protest, organised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network, called for the repeal of these discriminatory laws, which carry punishments ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty.
Addressing the crowd, McKellen pointed to the historical roots of the legislation. "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 explained. "Those laws have quite rightly been repealed in this country... but those old laws, those British laws, those foreign laws remain stuck in the remnants of the British empire now known as the Commonwealth."
The situation remains critical in more than half of the 56 member states. Six countries impose life imprisonment for same-sex relationships, while Uganda and Nigeria retain the death penalty for certain acts.
The 'Commonwealth Walk of Shame'
Billed as the "Commonwealth Walk of Shame," the demonstration was a direct action protest that moved between the London high commissions of several nations that maintain these laws. The march began at the Nigerian High Commission before proceeding to the diplomatic missions of Uganda, Ghana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad and Tobago.
McKellen emphasised that the protest was not driven by anger but by a desire for equality. "This is not about hatred," he told the crowd. "It's about a love of justice, a love of equality."
A Call for Political Action
Beyond raising public awareness, McKellen criticised the Commonwealth as an institution for its persistent silence on the issue. He noted that the topic is consistently absent from the official agenda of Commonwealth leaders' meetings.
"One thing it doesn’t do is ever discuss this problem," he said. "It’s never on the agenda, and perhaps events like this will just nudge politicians into talking about something which is of such concern."
He expressed hope that the demonstration would serve as a message of solidarity to LGBTQ+ individuals living in fear in these countries. "This is a heartfelt demonstration and 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," McKellen stated.
