The Olympics have (at least since the fall of the cold wall) been a beacon of international feel good unity, but prominent gay activists in the host city of London have been calling for an Olympic ban on anti-gay countries.

Prominent British activist Peter Tatchell believes that countries with an anti gay stance are in breach of the Olympic Charter and should not be eligible for participation.

“The Olympic Charter prohibits all discrimination, and this includes homophobic discrimination,” Tatchell said. “Any country that discriminates against women, ethnic or religious minorities, or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes should be disqualified from the 2012 Olympics.”

“The International Olympic Committee and London Olympic organisers should require all competing nations to sign a pledge that they do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation,” Tachell continues. “If they refuse to sign, they should be denied participation in the games.”

The London Olympics will begin 27 July.