Right now, almost 80 countries around the world make it a crime to be gay, lesbian or transgender. In 10 of those nations, you can be sentenced to death or life behind bars. The majority of these nations share a connection - they are members of the Commonwealth - an organization bringing together 54 nations to collaborate on legal, cultural and economic development.
The Commonwealth leaders are gathering this week in Perth, Australia where Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, just gave a courageous speech calling on each of the Commonwealth nations to finally end discrimination and criminalization of LGBT people. It's historic, but hardly a done deal: Forces within the Commonwealth are working double-time to silence Sharma and others, giving nations that send gays and lesbians to jail a free pass for yet another year.
We need to support Secretary General Sharma and show the other heads of state that a massive global outcry is bubbling up in their own countries and demanding fairness. The meeting kicks off this Friday - we need thousands to join Commonwealth citizens around the world and sign on to our statement of support for Secretary General Sharma in the next 48 hours, making his call impossible to ignore.
Will you take a minute to add your name and share this letter far and wide:
www.allout.org/wearenotillegal
