The Birmingham Games started with a message to the majority of Commonwealth countries that still criminalize same-sex relations
When British diver Tom Daley entered Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, he made a powerful statement. The Olympic champion was the first athlete to carry the Queen’s Scepter, and she was flanked by athletes and activists waving the Pride Progress flag — to raise awareness of the 35 Commonwealth member states that criminalize same-sex relations. It is part of a broader campaign to spark Commonwealth-wide reforms. “There are more countries in the Commonwealth that criminalize homosexuality than not,” Pride House Birmingham (PHB) co-founder Lou Englefield told ABC Sport. “So the Commonwealth Games is a unique opportunity for LGBTQI+ activists like myself and my colleagues to highlight these issues, and try to have a discussion about these things.” This is the third time there has been a Pride House at the Commonwealth Games. ( ABC Sports: Amanda Shalala ) Colonial heritage homophobic law The Pride House has been a fixture at many major s