Peter Tatchell worked together, and in parallel, with other organisations and ad hoc campaigns on a wide range of issues during 2003, including the following:  

Attempt to free Iraqi political prisoners - January – A request for the release of over 200 political prisoners was submitted to the government in Baghdad . It was under consideration when war began. In the post-war chaos it has, regrettably, been impossible to determine the fate of the prisoners.

Amnesty bid for gay sex "offenders" - January - The Home Secretary was urged to remove from the Sex Offenders Register gay men convicted under discriminatory, homophobic laws, such as the unequal age of consent. The Home Office eventually agreed to an amnesty in October.

Zimbabwe cricket tour protests - January - ‘No normal sporting relations with an abnormal society'. Working with Zimbabwean exiles, Peter helped organise the STOP THE TOUR campaign against the England v Zimbabwe matches; invading the offices of the England and Wales Cricket Board twice and picketing the match at Lords; helping draw public attention to the brut ali ties of the Mugabe regime.

Damilola Taylor inquiry - January – An independent inquiry was urged into the police cover-up of the homophobic bullying suffered by Damilola Taylor prior to his murder, and into the failure of officers to adequately investigate the possibility of a homophobic motive for his killing. The police have agreed to address these issues in the coming months.

Iraq : A Vietnam-style quagmire - February – Peter warned the US and UK occupation forces were likely to get bogged down in a long, bloody guerrilla war, with attempts to contain the insurgency becoming increasingly heavy-handed.

Paris protest against Mugabe – February - When President Mugabe attended the Franco-African Summit in Paris , Peter filed an application with the city's Deputy Prosecutor for Mugabe's arrest under France 's anti-torture law. It was rejected. He also spearheaded the anti-Mugabe protests and, together with Zimbabwean exiles, was arrested.

Section 28 amendment - February – Modelled on the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Peter proposed the Section 28 repeal clause should be amended with a new statutory requirement that local authorities must proactively combat homophobic prejudice, harassment, discrimination and violence.

Anti- War ambush of Tony Blair - March – In protest against the planned invasion of Iraq and in support of aid to help the Iraqi democratic opposition to overthrow Saddam Hussein, Peter outwitted Prime Ministerial security. Running in front of Tony Blair's limousine in Piccadilly, he forced it to halt; creating a huge security scare and red faces among the PM's protection team.

Sexual Offences Bill - April - MPs were lobbied against the renewed crimin ali sation of consenting sexual contact where both partners are below 16 and of similar ages. Under this Bill, two 15 year olds - gay or straight – who kiss and caress face five years jail. The government was also challenged over its backdoor reintroduction of anti-cottaging laws (after promising to scrap them).

EU Employment Directive – May – Ministers were condemned over their decision to enshrine in law the right of religious institutions to discriminate against lesbians and gays; and over their refusal to extend anti-discrimination legislation to cover housing and goods and services, such as insurance.

HPV and anal cancer - June - A request for the Health Minister John Reid to introduce education, screening and treatment programmes for HPV-related anal cancer secured a high-level review of existing research, with a decision on funding for new studies expected in 2004.

Civil Partnership proposals - June - The proposed legislation was condemned as both homophobic and heterophobic. Gays are banned from marriage and straights are excluded from civil partnerships. This system of sexual apartheid reinforces and perpetuates inequality.

Roberta Mugabe: Queen of Tyranny - July – Peter's Pride March placard satirised the Zimbabwean President as a tyrannical drag queen.

Civil Commitment Pact - July - As an alternative to the government's civil partnership register, Peter's proposed Civil Commitment Pact would allow people to nominate as their next-of-kin and beneficiary any 'significant other' in their life. It could be a lover, but it could also be a brother, carer, favourite niece, house sharer or life-long best friend. All relationships based on mutual care and commitment – not just sexual ones - would receive recognition and protection.

Protest at Anglican Synod in York - July - The Synod's refusal (yet again) to debate queer human rights prompted an invasion and take-over of the proceedings, which resulted in gay concerns being heard and discussed. Simultaneously, the Archbishop of York was urged to show moral leadership by coming out. Peter fixed his Theses Against Anglican Homophobia to the doors of York Minster.

Switch off Mugabe's power - August - A new campaign was launched to encourage South Africa to switch off the electricity it supplies to Zimbabwe , as a way of forcing President Mugabe to the negotiating table. The campaign was picked up by South African MPs, and by Zimbabwean exiles in Johannesburg who staged protests outside the HQ of the South African electricity authority, Eskom.

Call for the arrest of hate singers - September – The police were urged to arrest reggae singers whose songs call for the shooting, burning, drowning and beating of queers; and there were protests against the MOBO Award organisers for accepting nominations for three of these singers: Elephant Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.  

Sexual Offences Bill - October – The government was challenged once more over its abandonment of new, non-discriminatory legislation on sex in public places, and its introduction of a gay-targeted law explicitly and exclusively crimin ali sing sexual behaviour in public toilets (while ignoring sex in the streets and in heterosexual lover's lanes).

New inquest for Justin Fashanu? – November – New research by Peter casts doubt on the sexual assault allegations made against Justin shortly before his death, and questions the thoroughness of the police investigation and the coroner's report. A call to reopen the inquest will be made in 2004.

Bounty Killer forced to cancel - December – The police were urged to arrest Jamaican reggae star, Bounty Killer, on charges on inciting the murder of gay people. Fearful of arrest and gay rights protests, Bounty Killer cancelled his UK concerts. Mr Killer is, it seems, a bit of a wimp!

A Message from Peter Tatchell  

My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported my human rights campaigns in 2003. Your kindness is treasured. Without you, none of my campaigns would be possible. I hope you can join me at the PTHRF annual reception on 15 March.