Rae Cox, Oxford Socialist Party
The mood at the recent Trans rights rally in Oxford was surprisingly politically conscious. Trans people have long faced discrimination and bigotry and so can be more likely to be politically radical. However, recently conversations have started to move beyond just the question of survival, towards how can we build a world where we can thrive. The mood is increasingly angry at the status quo as people have been quickly realising that there isn’t anyone politically who will fight for them.
The energy at the rally was a strange mix of sadness, anger, and hope. When speakers started, opportunities to raise Socialist Party ideas began organically bubbling up, especially on the question of Labour.
A couple of Socialist Party members managed to give speeches at the rally: James Morbin on behalf of his Unite branch, and me on behalf of the Socialist Party. James spoke about the role of the trade unions in fighting discrimination. We both called for a new mass workers’ party to fight for Queer, and all oppressed, people. And I was able to raise the need to fight for socialism to end oppression.
