Campaigners Urging Glasgow 2014 Games Leaders To Raise Subject Of LGBT Rights

Campaigners have demanded that Scotland "use the Glasgow 2014 Games to raise human rights abuses within the majority of Commonwealth countries that outlaw homosexuality," according to Gerry Braiden of the HERALD SCOTLAND. Attention "has turned to the Glasgow Games and the 80% of Commonwealth nations that have sanctions including the death penalty against their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations." One prominent Scottish Parliament Member has "called on Scottish Government ministers to go beyond 'talking up sports and Glasgow' and raise LGBT abuses with their counterparts in Commonwealth nations with anti-same sex laws." Leading gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has "called on Games organisers to stage LGBT events to show a commitment to the issue." Tatchell: "Homophobic discrimination is not a sporting value." Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison said that countries "would be in no doubt about our values when we welcome the Commonwealth to Scotland next year" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 8/15).