Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/682/12572
From The Socialist newspaper, 17 August 2011
Reports: Pride gets political
Brighton
This year Pride in Brighton charged an entrance fee for the first time. This shocking act excluded many working class LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) people on low incomes from sharing in what should have been an inclusive demonstration against discrimination.
The Socialist Party rejects the commercialisation of Pride and supports a free celebration of LGBTQ diversity and freedom.
On 13 August 2011, Socialist Party members took part in Brighton Pride parade alongside Queer Resistance, calling for 'pride not profit' and asking people to unite and fight the cuts. Impending cuts to public services and benefits will hit LGBTQ people particularly hard.
Also, with crisis comes scapegoating. 73% of respondents to the 'Count Me In Too' survey (a survey of LGBT people in Brighton and Hove) said that they had experienced abuse related to their sexual and/or gender identity in the past five years.
A Socialist Party stall at the entrance to the prohibitively expensive part of Brighton Pride collected 200 signatures on a petition to keep Pride free and sold 35 copies of the Socialist paper.
Beth Granter
Leeds
Pride celebrations can often be apolitical and dominated by commercial interests, but not so at Leeds LGBT Pride 2011. The trade union presence was strong and there were many young people and students protesting against cuts to LGBT services and rising homophobia and transphobia.
The parade through the city centre was joined by the 100-strong 'Don't Cut the Rainbow' contingent of local anti-cuts protesters, giving a resounding political voice to the festivities.
Socialist Party members proudly joined in the march and spent the afternoon talking with local workers, activists, trade unionists and young people about fighting the cuts and defending LGBT rights and services.
Dave Younger
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In The Socialist 17 August 2011:
The street eruptions and aftermath
Con-Dems to blame for anger of youth - mass, trade union-led workers' response needed
After the riots... A mass workers’ movement is needed
Tell the TUC - call a 24-hour public sector general strike!
Birmingham peace rally shows need for jobs and services, not cuts
North London Unity demo - 'Workers and youth, unite and fight'
Defend council tenants from eviction!
Build strike action to defeat Con-Dems
Vital services "dying" because of cuts
Extracts from a statement from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU):
Youth workers' warnings ignored across the country
Trade union branch model resolution
Socialist Party news and analysis
World economy: Capitalists unable to stop the turmoil
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
EDL try to act as vigilantes in Leicester
Winston Silcott - framed by the police and justice system
Socialist Party youth and students
Doors continuously shutting on young people's futures
Youth march in Wales to demand jobs
Socialist history
Socialist Party workplace news
Massive vote to continue action against Southampton cuts
Angry construction workers meet to plan strike action
Reinstate Paddy Brennan at Honda
Comments and reviews
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