Birmingham Pride - revitalising political struggle

Socialist Party members at Birmingham Pride 2019 (Click to enlarge)

Corinthia Ward, North Birmingham Socialist Party

Birmingham Socialist Party members joined the thousands of people taking part in this year's Birmingham Pride parade.

Pride - an event which originates from the 1969 Stonewall Riots against police attacks - has a rich political history against oppression of LGBTQ+ people.

However, you would not know this by looking at the groups in this year's parade. From TSB bank to Cadbury and private solicitor firms giving away free goodies, and the fact that the cost of the evening events go up to �70 a ticket!

Despite trade union blocs being present they were towards the back of the parade after the corporations and even the West Midlands Police.

Socialist Party members tried to bring politics to the event, linking the needs of LGBTQ+ people to the austerity attacks by the Tories and local councils on public services.

We raised the demands for affordable, council housing and a fully funded NHS with access to adequate mental health services.

Over 1,000 leaflets were handed out - being snatched out of our hands as it was the only political material being given out on the day! Many, especially young people, engaged with us about the effect of cuts on not only fellow LGBTQ+ people, but also on the wider community they live in.

This shows that people are eager to see Pride as more than just a rainbow celebration of being LGBTQ+.

Pride should be used to fight back against oppression and as a platform to promote socialist policies.

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

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