Queen To Sign New Charter.

[anotheoldgit]

The Queen has made no specific reference to ‘gays and lesbians’ in this charter, so is the Daily Mail and Stonewall reading too much into this?

/// The charter, dubbed a ‘21st Century Commonwealth Magna Carta’ declares: ‘We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.’ ///

/// The ‘other grounds’ is intended to refer to sexuality – but specific reference to ‘gays and lesbians’ was omitted in deference to Commonwealth countries with draconian anti-gay laws. ///

/// Homosexual acts are still illegal in 41 of the Commonwealth’s 54 nations. Penalties include the death sentence in parts of Nigeria and Pakistan; 25 years jail in Trinidad and Tobago; 20 years plus flogging in Malaysia; and life imprisonment in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana. ///

/// Same-sex relationships are recognised in only five Commonwealth countries: UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. ///

[jim360]

Well they might be reading too much into it but even so it's good to scrutinise what happens next. Here's hoping that we eventually won't need Stonewall. Also, to be fair to the Queen she has no part in this other than signing it, so if there was no specific reference to homosexuality it's hardly her fault.

[Gromit]

Here is a link to the Daily Mail report

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290824/Queen-fights-gay-rights-Monarch-makes-historic-pledge-discrimination-hints-Kate-DOES-girl-means-equal-rights-throne.html

[Gromit]

Now I have read it, it is clear that it is the usual DM hogwash.

The Queen did not write it or initiate it, the Commonwealth themselves came out with this led by Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma. As its head, she is obliged to sign it rather like she is obliged to endorse the Government.

She seems to have no qualms about signing. So the Daily Mail excitement is overhyped.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Thank you for posting the link Gromit, it must have slipped my mind, which is very unusual.

/// So the Daily Mail excitement is overhyped. ///

Seems as if Stonwall's is also, don't you agree?

[Baldric]

Having just read the article it would appear that the old Queen is simply going through the motions by signing this charter, she didn't instigate it, it is just a formality.

[Gromit]

AOG

Ben Summskill of Stonewall does indeed seemed to be also gripped by the hype.

// Some of the worst persecution of gay people in the world takes place in Commonwealth countries as a result of the British Empire.’ //

And there was me blaming he church.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Yet another big stick with which to beat the former British Empire with eh?

And why have these countries not ceased their prosecutions of gays, when the British left?

Who apart from the British Empire does Ben Summskill also blame for Middle Eastern persecution of gay people?

[Gromit]

AOG

The church: Chritian and Muslem?

Is this a rare occassion when we agree?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Are I can now see where you are coming from Gromit.

Put this one down in your diary Gromit I will mine.

[sp1814]

AOG

The media would have been briefed by the Palace on what this pledge means.

It's fair to assume that the Daily Mail would have asked for clarification on what 'other grounds' meant.

It could easily be interpreted to mean age discrimination or discrimination based on physical handicap. However, I hope the Mail avoided sloppy journalism and actually asked the question.

[jim360]

I think despite Summerskill might have a point, because I understood that anti-gay politics is primarily a religious thing, and then very much from Christian/ Abrahmic religion, and we brought the Church of England to Africa together with what was back then a very anti-gay vibe. The Africans might be carrying this forward while we moved in a different direction. At least I heard this idea from somewhere, can think where, and therefore won't vouch for its accuracy.

[pdq1]

Marrying a Greek git I suppose her hands are tied.