Campaigning Tatchell given a top honour

GAY rights campaigner Peter Tatchell declared he was ‘unworthy’ yesterday after receiving an award previously bestowed upon statesmen and scientists who changed the world.

The Albert Medal is awarded annually by the Royal Society of Arts to an individual or organisation for innovation in the fields of creativity, commerce and social improvement. Previous recipients have included Winston Churchill, former US president Franklin D Roosevelt and pioneering scientists Marie Curie and Louis Pasteur. It has also been awarded to several members of the Royal Family, including the Queen.

The official citation for Mr Tatchell says he was being honoured ‘for tireless campaigning on human rights and social equality’. The 64-year-old has spent decades fighting homophobia and discrimination, often enduring physical attacks for his campaign for equality and free speech.

Yesterday Mr Tatchell said: ‘I am honoured but unworthy, given the awesome global achievements of previous winners.’

He went on to dedicate his acceptance to the Southall Black Sisters, campaigners for ethnic minority women who he described as ‘heroines of human rights’.

First awarded in 1 64, the Albert Medal was created in memory of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert, who had been president of the RSA for 1 years. Mr Tatchell will pick up his medal at a ceremony today.

could dispute veteran gay rights activist Peter Tatchell’s bravery for single- handedly trying to arrest Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, or for protesting about gay rights in the centre of Moscow? Or his commitment to free speech and religious freedom, for condemning bigoted ‘ no- platform’ policies in universities, and speaking up for the Christian couple who refused to put a gay marriage slogan on a cake? The Mail does not always agree with him, but he is a thoughtful and articulate man and a worthy winner of the Albert Medal.