Putting the politics into Pride

Europride 2006 – 1 July

Putting the politics into Pride

The Lesbian and Gay rights movement started in 1969 with the
Stonewall riots in New York when drag queens physically fought the
police who were raiding gay bars.

Greg Randall, Hackney

Prejudice against LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)
people has not gone away, even though in parts of the world many legal
rights have been won and anti-discrimination laws enacted. Similar laws
did not end racism or sex discrimination. "Queer bashing"
still takes place on the allegedly tolerant streets of London. The fear
of losing your job for "coming out" at work is part of life
for many.

Unfortunately, the organisers of Gay Pride events seem to take the
view that everything is rosy and that it is not necessary to struggle to
protect and extend gay rights. In the last decade, the national Pride
event in London has become increasingly depoliticised and commercialised.

This year London hosts EuroPride and British Airways have signed up
as sponsor. This union-busting company boasts that it has
"gay" business worth £3 billion. Great for its bank balance,
but BA won’t be so fine for gay workers threatened with the sack or the
loss of union rights as it moves to Heathrow terminal five.

The Socialist Party LGBT caucus is determined to put some politics
back into Pride. This 1 July we aim to have our largest presence at
Pride for a decade. We will be protesting against its commercialisation
and calling for community and trade union campaigns for LGBT rights.

The Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) will provide
translations of our leaflets into European languages. We will protest
against state, church and fascist attacks on Pride marches in Poland and
Russia with members of the Socialist Party’s sister organisations in the
CWI. International solidarity, not adverts for BA and its profiteering
ilk, is needed to extend LGBT rights across the globe.

Socialist Party branches should also make sure they raise this
message at the local Pride marches across the country. International
Socialist Resistance members will also be at EuroPride to campaign
against homophobic bullying in schools.

Capitalists use reactionary ideas to divide the working class and
protect their profit system. Only by getting rid of capitalism and
building a socialist society can we ultimately guarantee our rights.

  • Telephone 020 8988 8777 for more details of the Socialist Party
    LGBT caucus and plans for raising the banner of Socialism at
    EuroPride in central London on Saturday 1 July.