Ian McKellen joins the March for LGBTQ+ Unity in the Commonwealth | Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen has joined the march against LGBTQ+ law enforcement in Commonwealth countries, calling it “horrific”.

The Lord of the Rings star and activist joined protests in central London to review laws in the 29 Commonwealth countries where same-sex relationships remain illegal.

In six of those countries, LGBTQ+ people face life imprisonment, while Uganda and Nigeria still have the death penalty.

Before addressing the crowd, Sir Ian told the Press Association: “When Britain was an empire, it imported into foreign countries the laws we had in this country, including laws against homosexuality.

“Those laws have rightly been abolished in this country where homosexuals live freely and freely with the rest of the people, but those old laws, those British laws, those foreign laws remain in the remnants of the British empire which is now called the Commonwealth.

“Unfortunately, half of the Commonwealth countries follow these old laws, and our request to them today is that they meet the standards and declaration of the Commonwealth and withdraw them.”

The demonstration, called the “Commonwealth Walk of Shame”, was organized by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network.

After being addressed by Sir Ian, along with Nigerian activist Babatunde Akanwale Osunseyi, the marchers set off to protest outside the executive commissions of the eight Commonwealth countries that deal with crimes against LGBTQ+ people.

They started outside the Nigerian High Commission before traveling to Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Sir Ian also said that although it was not a “massive move”, he hoped that “words would get back” to the people of the aided countries.

He said: “This is a demonstration from the bottom of my heart and I believe that the message will also reach the people, some of whom are hiding because of the fear of the laws of the country and the way the citizens of the country behave.

“It’s very difficult, and anything we can do to help, I think it will be appreciated.”

The crowd held up signs calling for King Charles to “apologise to the old monarchs” and chanted “75 years” of homophobia.

The Lord Of The Rings star told the crowd that the show was “not about reporting” but about “loving justice, loving equality”.

He added that much of the anti-LGBTQ+ hatred seen across Africa and Asia was “imported” by “brutal” colonial policies.

When asked what he hoped the show would achieve alongside the supporting show, Sir Ian expressed a lack of discussion on the matter.

He said: “Maybe they can show a real interest in what the Commonwealth does and doesn’t do.”

“One thing they don’t do is talk about the problem.

“It’s not going to be on the agenda, and maybe events like this will force politicians to talk about what’s really worrying.”