Brighton Pride, photo Dominic Alves/CC

Brighton Pride, photo Dominic Alves/CC   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Members of Brighton Socialist Party attended Brighton Pride on 4 August. Although it is the UK’s biggest Pride event, drawing in more than 400,000 people this year, in recent years it has been largely depoliticised.

Instead, the businesses that take part pay lip service to support for LGBT+ people, while upholding the systems of oppression and discrimination they deal with on a daily basis.

At the same time, considerations for public health during the event were treated with neglect. Inadequate rubbish disposal led to a massive litter problem over the weekend, and a lack of transport after the event led to a crush at the train station. The station was then closed, forcing some visitors to sleep on the beach.

Despite this, people were keen to discuss our slogan, ‘Pride is political’, and how LGBT+ people can organise to fight for their rights. This includes fighting austerity, with NHS cuts in mental health services being a serious concern for young LGBT+ people, and ending the capitalist system which thrives on division and discrimination.

Connor Rosoman, Brighton Socialist Party