Commonwealth states must end anti-gay laws, say Drag Race stars

Two stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK have spoken out

(Picture: Bluebella Pride)

Two stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK have called for the end of “appalling” anti-gay laws in the majority of Commonwealth countries.

Drag artists Tayce Szura-Radix and A’Whora have launched the Bluebella Pride campaign to demand an end to the suffering. Homosexual activity is illegal in 35 of the 54 Commonwealth nations, including Jamaica, Cameroon and Barbados.

Tayce said: “It is appalling that being gay is a criminal offence in most Commonwealth countries. We are campaigning to apply pressure on these countries to repeal these oppressive laws which thwart lives, perpetuate misery and exacerbate the impacts of the HIV/Aids crisis.”

A’Whora added: “In many of these countries there is already unrest that these discriminatory laws still exist, and so added support from this campaign may be all that’s needed to elicit change.”

The Bluebella Pride lingerie collection is launched today, with proceeds from sales going to the human rights charity Kaleidoscope Trust.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, executive director of the Trust, said: "We are delighted to have the support of Bluebella, Tayce and A'Whora in raising money for our important work upholding the human rights of LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth.”