Human rights campaigner and fellow Green Peter Tatchell, who has previously attempted a citizens arrest on Robert Mugabe for human rights violations, has again been making headlines with his work (see the extract below from the Belfast Telegraph). I think he is a very courageous man and I very strongly agree with the stand he has taken - love him or hate him he has highlighted a serious homophobia problem yet again, this time in part through giving the Amnesty International Pride Lecture, as part of the Belfast Pride festival being held this week.A Northern Ireland MP who branded homosexuality an abomination should resign, a gay rights activist said last night.
Peter Tatchell said Iris Robinson would have faced calls for her head had she criticised any other minority in similar terms.
The Strangford DUP MP has defended her assertions with her Christianity.
Mr Tatchell said: “There is no doubt that if Iris Robinson had made those remarks about the black or the Jewish community she would have been outed from public office and forced to resign.
“People would have said that such comments are totally unacceptable.
“The fact that many are making excuses for people saying that her conscience or religion gives her an excuse for making these remarks I find unconscionable.”
More on/about Peter Tatchell and his work here and here.
