Peter Tatchell has been a human rights campaigner for many years.
He joined us in studio to talk about his recent arrest in Russia for protesting against the persecution of LGBT people.
"It was very important that I went there to stand in solidarity with LGBT+ Russians and Chechens who are victimised by the state."
"President Putin could stop these witch hunts right now, but he chooses not to do so."
Peter described how Russia is abusing the human rights of its citizens through the interrogation, beating, torturing and often killing of gay people.
He recently protested at the Kremlin by holding up a placard saying that Putin had failed to stop the torture of LGBT+ people in Chechnya, which is unlawful under the constitution.
"I knew that the maximum penalty was a major fine and 15 days in prison. I went there knowing that but thought that Putin shouldn't go unchallenged."
Peter is also concerned about what he calls the suppression of peaceful protest: "Russia is a police state, and those of us who care about human rights and civil liberties need to support those who are risking their lives and liberties to take a stand for those values."
He thinks that things will eventually change in Russia, but not for some time.
"No tyranny lasts forever, so I'm confident that Russia will embrace democracy and human rights, but it's going to be a long time coming."
Peter was also active in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1960s, and the outcome of this has led him to be positive about the future: "I look back over the campaigns I've supported and see so many successes."
"It goes to show that if you take a stand, you can make the world a better place."
He was instrumental in the battle to get the British government to issue an apology and pardon to those who suffered under past laws criminalising homosexuality, but he says many of the men affected are still alive and deserve further action.
"The big issue we're now pushing forward is to compensate living gay and bisexual men who were victims of these laws in the past. The pain and suffering is absolutely enormous and it continues to affect these men's lives."
Peter also has strong views on the DUP in Northern Ireland and their refusal to take action on laws impacting same-sex couples.
"The DUP has for five decades opposed LGBT law reform and supported legal discrimination, so Arlene Foster attending a reception cuts no ice with me. I want action, not attendance at a reception."
"She is supporting discrimination against a section of the Northern Irish community because of their sexuality, and that is fundamentally against the principles of a free and democratic society."
"If you don't support equality, you are supporting discrimination and fuelling prejudice."
To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen
