Activist Tatchell Honored With Blue Plaque

U.K. activist Peter Tatchell's contributions to gay rights and international human rights will be commemorated Wednesday with one of London's famed blue plaques.

Tatchell's plaque, which will be unveiled by actor Sir Ian McKellen, will be placed outside of his home in South London, where he has organized many of his human rights initiatives.

Tatchell told the media Tuesday that one of his proudest achievements was his attempt at a citizen's arrest of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, in which he was eventually severely beaten by one of Mugabe's bodyguards.

"I appreciate this award, but the greatest honor I've had is the privilege to know and work with so many amazing, courageous human rights defenders in Britain and around the world. That's the real, true honor to me," he said, according to Pink News. "Nevertheless, after so many years of demonization by the tabloids, right-wingers, homophobes and even some people on the left, it is great to receive this recognition."

The blue plaques are placed around London to honor those who have contributed greatly to society. Honorees over the past 140 years include T.S. Eliot, John Keats, and Boris Karloff.