Why can’t the Queen say sexual orientation ?

The Queen will sign a new charter today backing equal rights for women and gay people in every Commonwealth nation. But will it give any LGBT rights ?

The Commonwealth Charter declares: “We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.”

Commonwealth Charter seems to not mention Gay Rights at all, but some thinks the words “other grounds” is the same as gay rights. It isn’t.

But why can’t The Commonwealth Charter declare :

“We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or sexual orientation.”

“other grounds” can interpreted as anything and in forty-one out of 54 Commonwealth states still criminalise homosexuality, will not automatically give any gay or LGBT rights.

It’s sad and disappointing that the Queen can’t take a small step, but a big step for the LGBT community.

Photo By NASA/Bill Ingalls [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons