‘Umbrellas of Love’ unveiled at Commonwealth Games

The latest project from controversial artist and poet Vince Laws was unveiled in Glagow last week during the Commonwealth Games.

The Umbrellas of Love campaign is an artistic protest against anti-gay laws in 41 out of the 53 countries in the Commonwealth.

Vince said: “There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, and in 41 it is illegal to be lesbian, bisexual, or gay. In 7 Commonwealth countries I could be imprisoned for life for being myself, and in 2 countries – in parts of Nigeria and parts of Pakistan under Sharia law – I could be executed because of who I love and who loves me.

“I decided to paint the names of the 41 countries on white umbrellas and get them seen during the Commonwealth Gaymes. Because I’m a penniless poet, I appealed for donations to create Umbrellas of Love! and soon got enough to do all 86 countries around the world where homosexuality is illegal.

“I chose umbrellas because they are light and easy to carry, and because the Commonwealth is like a giant umbrella, only some people aren’t allowed to step under its protection.

Each umbrella had a giant letter on it, collectively spelling out:

• LOVE IS A HUMAN RIGHT,

• NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL,

• WE ALL BLEED RED,

• LOVE AND LET LOVE, and

• COMMON WEALTH GAYMES.

Vince painted the umbrellas at his Norfolk cottage, then sent them to Glasgow where local activist Amy McLachlan Sayer organised the protest during Glasgow Pride and at the Commonwealth Games.

After Glasgow, the Umbrellas of Love appeared in the Norwich Pride Parade on Saturday, July 26.

Umbrellas of Love will be on display in Brighton during the Pride weekend August 2-3, outside the Marlborough Pub on the Pride Parade Route.

Vince added:  “I would like to thank everyone who has helped. Over 30 people chipped in and raised over £500 to make Umbrellas of Love happen. I’m very proud of that.”