Wednesday 29 September 2010

Audio: Peter Tachell, LGBT asylum hero, awarded Blue Plaque

By Paul Canning

The British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been awarded the unique honour of a Blue Plaque, located on the block of flats he has lived in in South London for many years. Blue Plaques are usually awarded to people who have died but he joked at a ceremony today that he is "very much alive".

LGBT Asylum News pays tribute to Peter for his longstanding work for LGBT asylum seekers.

Over many years working with colleagues in Outrage! and others Peter has both campaigned and personally supported many LGBT fleeing persecution only to face homophobia in the British asylum system. There is no doubt that a number of people now living safely in the UK owe their lives to Peter.

Although Peter's work in this area is not as visible as it has been he still works with and helps individuals and raises the issue behind the scenes and has worked with us on a number of cases, providing invaluable support, advice and contacts. He has also done amazing work supporting many activists in the 'Global South', again often unheralded and unpublicised.

Peter showed his usual humility today and praised the "team" who have supported him over the years. He has refused honours, including entering the House of Lords, previously but this one meant something special as it came from people local to where he lives. He absolutely deserves it.

Source: SE1

Audio of Sir Ian McKellen and Peter Tatchell (NB: audio is patchy)
Listen!

Audio of Cllr Veronica Ward and Simon Hughes MP (NB: audio is patchy)
Listen!
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