British PM May urges Gambia, others to legalise same-sex marriage
British Prime Min
ister, Theresa May, has urged Nigeria and all other countries within the Commonwealth including The Gambia to legalise same-sex marriage.
While speaking at the first joint forum at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Westminster on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said there should be no laws criminalising same-sex relationships across the Commonwealth.
She said she understands that most of the laws against same-sex marriages in the Commonwealth were made by the United Kingdom, adding that those laws were wrong then, and are wrong now.
May said, “Across the world, discriminatory laws made many years ago, continue to affect the lives of many people, tens of millions of young people. Criminalising same-sex relations and failing to protect women and girls.
“I am all too aware that these laws were put in place by my own country; they were wrong then and they are wrong now.”
She further stated that, “As the UK’s prime minister, I deeply regret that those laws were introduced… as a family, we must respect one another’s cultures and traditions, but we must do so in a manner consistent with equality, as it is clearly stated in the Commonwealth charter.
“Nobody should face discrimination or persecution because of who they are or who they love and the UK stands ready to help any Commonwealth member wanting to reform outdated legislation. The Gambia which has just rejoined the Commonwealth still has laws prohibiting sex marriages. Former President Jammeh who pulled the country out of the Commonwealth even threatened to cut of the heads of gay people.
From: The Standard
