by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
Longtime British gay activist Peter Tatchell was honored with a "blue plaque" Sept. 29.
At an on-location ceremony, gay actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen unveiled the plaque on the block of flats in London's Southwark area in which Tatchell has lived since 1978. The address is 62 Arrol House, Rockingham Street, SE1 6QL.
"I have lived in Southwark most of my life and I am very proud to be part of its long, illustrious history of distinguished authors, playwrights, scientists, inventors and social reformers," Tatchell said. "I dedicate my acceptance of this award to the heroic democracy and human-rights campaigners in Iran, Uganda, Iraq, Russia, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and West Papua."
The particular blue-plaque project that honored Tatchell is run by the Borough of Southwark, and recipients are chosen via public nomination and popular vote.
The plaques also are placed on the residences of famous athletes, actors and politicians. Previous Southwark honorees include Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin and Michael Caine.
