So So Gay
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been threatened with a ban from speaking at Pride London, an event he founded in 1972.
Iconic gay-rights protester Peter Tatchell was threatened with a ban from speaking on the main stage at Pride London WorldPride, an event he has spoken at for almost every year of the events existence – and an event he helped found in 1972.
The Mayor’s office allegedly decreed that if Tatchell was to be invited to speak, then politicians from all parties should do so – despite the fact that he has never been elected into any office though he is a member of the Green Party.
Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones raised the issue at Mayor’s Question Time today.
Peter posted on Facebook ‘At a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the Mayor’s office allegedly told Pride London that I would not be allowed to speak in Trafalgar Sq at World Pride on Sat. They gave the impression that if I spoke City Hall authorisation for the rally could be withdrawn. If true, this borders on blackmail & political censorship.’
‘Consequently, Pride London said their long-standing invitation for me to speak was being withdrawn. They said they had no choice: If I spoke, the World Pride rally could be stopped by City Hall.’
‘When this was exposed at Mayor’s Question Time today, Boris Johnson said I could speak but he evaded the alleged banning order & threats; claiming he objected to the fact that I am a “Green politician”. I am not a politician. I am a human rights activist. My speech was never going to be for the Green Party but about LGBT issues only.’
http://youtu.be/LwCIyFmfqYs
