Today [Friday], the UK is announcing further funding to assist community-based human rights advocates and advance equality and freedom throughout the Commonwealth.
Many LGBT persons in Commonwealth nations continue to experience prejudice and criminalization despite recent, welcome advances.
The £2.7 million package, which was announced by the Prime Minister at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting today, will support ongoing efforts to encourage the reform of antiquated laws and regulations that fail to shield all people from violence and discrimination. Partners in this effort include The Commonwealth Equality Network and Kaleidoscope Trust.
The project is supported by over £40,000 from the government and £50,000 from the Commonwealth Sport Foundation, and the Prime Minister will also announce money for the Pride program at the UK’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games next month.
For the first time ever at a Commonwealth Games, Pride House Birmingham will be present at each of the three main athlete village sites as part of the program.
The UK has contributed more than £11 million to the promotion and defense of LGBT rights throughout the Commonwealth since taking office as Chair-In-Office in 2018.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“The Commonwealth is a voluntary grouping of independent and equal nations, but as a collective it has long been a powerful force for good. The values that our members hold dear, from human rights to equality, should apply to everyone in society.
“I am immensely proud of the UK’s record on LGBT rights – the freedom to love who you want is a core British value and a vital component of any democracy. I hope world will see these values in action at next month’s Commonwealth Games.”
The majority of the new money (£2.5 million) announced today will go to human rights advocates and civil society organizations that seek to change and repeal discriminatory laws and practices and to protect equality progress.
In addition, further cash will support the UK’s continued efforts as co-chairs of the worldwide Equal Rights Coalition and a safe data storage system for LGBT Afghan refugees.
The UK is a global leader in the promotion of LGBT rights.
The appointment of Nick Herbert (The Rt Hon The Lord Herbert of South Downs CBE PC) as the UK’s Special Envoy on LGBT rights by the Prime Minister last year brought together the domestic work of the Government and its leadership on the subject internationally.