The APPG is looking forward to an important panel discussion on “Removal of Colonial-Era Discriminatory Laws in the Commonwealth: Looking Back, Moving Forward” that we are cohosting with Kaleidoscope Trust, the Equality and Justice Alliance, and the Commonwealth Equality Network.
Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Time: 6.00pm
Location: Maps Room, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH ((photo ID is required)
Opening remarks:
Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development and member of the APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights
Moderator:
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust
Speakers:
Caleb Orozco, United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), Belize
Joey Siosaia Joleen Mataele, Tonga Leitis Association, Pacific
Steve Letsike, Access Chapter 2, Southern Africa
Theresa May’s expression of deep regret during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2018 of the continued impact of discriminatory colonial-era laws on LGBT+ people and women and girls was a momentous milestone for organisations fighting for equality in the Commonwealth.
This hard fought victory by The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) - a network of over 50 LGBT+ organisations from Commonwealth countries - resulted in the formation of the Equality & Justice Alliance (EJA), a two-year, £5.6-million programme supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
As part of this work, The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) members in the Caribbean, Pacific and Southern Africa, have been advocating for the reform and removal of discriminatory colonial-era laws. Working in countries and regions to strengthen intersectional movements between women’s rights organisations and LGBT+ organisations, TCEN members, together with partners, have built evidence, interacted with government and engaged in the legislative reform process as part of their advocacy efforts.
Join us to hear from some of the activists who have been directly involved in delivering this work on progress made in changing discriminatory laws and in making the lives of LGBT+ people and women and girls better, their reflections on what lies ahead and what it means for the Commonwealth.