Queen backs Commonwealth queers?

Queen Elizabeth II has signed a charter calling on Commonwealth countries to end to all discrimination, including against LGBTI people.

The charter does not directly mention sexual orientation, but gay rights group Stonewall said it was the first time the Queen had publicly acknowledged the community.

In the 16-point charter, it read: “We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.”

But UK-based gay rights advocate Peter Tatchell (pictured) said the message was not so clear.

“It is… a bit of a stretch for [Stonewall] to suggest that the Queen has come out as a champion of gay rights and expressed her support for gay equality,” he said.

“She’s made no such explicit commitment and not used any such words.

“Indeed, in her 61 years on the throne, the Queen has never publicly uttered the words lesbian or gay. She is a patron of hundreds of charities but none of them are gay ones. Not once has she visited or supported a gay charity.”