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In this episode of The Internationalist, host Julio Bruno is joined by Peter Tatchell, a legendary human rights campaigner and director of the ‘Peter Tatchell Foundation’ – an independent non-political party that seeks to promote and protect the human rights of people in the UK and beyond.
In this in-depth conversation, Peter reveals his views on cancel culture and explains that everyone should have the opportunity to express their views, even though others may disagree with them, providing that they do not incite violence or harass others.
Expressing his allegiance to the world and his passion for loving and supporting those who are struggling against injustices, Peter highlights his most notable campaigns, including the first mass movement of LGBTQ+ people in Britain. This was a protest against police harassment following the arrest of the leader of the Young Liberals, Louis Eaks, who was charged under an ancient 19th-century law that criminalised consenting same-sex behaviour and carried a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. As well as a direct action movement that challenged police to arrest young LGBTQ+ people below the age of 21 who had signed affidavits admitting that they had sex before the consenting age, raising public awareness about the difference in the age of consent for heterosexuals and the LGBTQ+ community.
Peter goes on to share his thoughts on the Ukrainian and Russian conflict, explaining that, in his opinion, the Ukrainian war is an extension of the oppression inside of Russia. He believes that Russia is shifting to be an imperialist force that seeks to interfere in the global affairs of other countries to erase Ukraine from the map to recreate the Soviet vision — advocating a traditional old-style Russian view of morality and family life where there is no space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Finally, Peter touches upon his Netflix documentary ‘Hating Peter Tatchell’ that provides a snapshot into his campaigns over the years, aiming to demonstrate that we are capable of making social change and emphasize that we don’t have to accept the world as it is.
Created & produced by: Podcast Partners
Published: May 19, 2022
