Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell today delivered an early wedding card to Buckingham Palace calling on Prince William and Kate Middleton to "express their support" for same-sex marriages.
A group of gay activists waved pink Union Jack flags as the giant card was unveiled for the Equal Love campaign.
They have launched a legal bid to overturn the bans on same-sex civil marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships in the UK.
Mr Tatchell said he hoped the royal couple would "find a way" to back the protest.
Some of the eight couples who in February filed an application in the European Court of Human Rights to end the legal prohibitions on same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships were also present.
Mr Tatchell said: "We're here to send our best wishes to William and Kate. We wish them a happy wedding day and a happy married life together.
"Kate and William are lucky - they can get married. Gay couples can't - that's not fair.
"In a democratic society marriage should be open to everyone."
He added: "We hope that within the confines of royal protocol somehow Kate and William will find a way to express their support for marriage equality, so that same-sex couples can have the same right as they have to get married if they wish.
"I'm sure Kate and William have gay and lesbian friends. I'm sure they wouldn't wish to see them discriminated against."
Mr Tatchell also criticised the decision to invite several "royal tyrants" to the wedding.
Although the Crown Prince of Bahrain is no longer attending, Mr Tatchell described his original invite as "truly shocking".
He added: "There are seven other royal tyrants on the guest list from countries like Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Qatar and Brunei. That is very offensive to the victims."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments