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Why an Aussie gay rights campaigner is defending homophobes

Why an Aussie gay rights campaigner is defending homophobes

A new film relates the Footscray-born gay rights activist’s journey from scourge of Britain’s mainstream to near-iconic status. But he’s still picking fresh battles.

Peter Tatchell disrupts the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter sermon in 1998. 

Hans van LeeuwenEurope correspondent

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On Easter Sunday 1998, the traditional and widely watched Easter Sunday sermon at England’s Canterbury Cathedral, televised live, was unexpectedly interrupted by an Australian accent.

Dogged and controversial Melbourne-born gay rights activist Peter Tatchell leapt from a pew and stormed the pulpit, to protest then archbishop George Carey’s opposition to legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

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Hans van Leeuwen
Hans van LeeuwenEurope correspondentHans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com

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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/why-an-aussie-gay-rights-campaigner-is-defending-homophobes-20210730-p58emu