John Williams, Unite LGBT+ EC member (personal capacity) and Cardiff Central Socialist Party
Gender-reaffirming services in Wales have been ‘paused’. People believed they would be receiving services, only to be told with very little notice, that it had been disgracefully paused.
Trans people in Wales are facing more attacks on their rights and wellbeing. Socialist Party members supported Cardiff Trans Pride again this year.
This is political
Unlike Cardiff Pride, which has been heavily commercialised – where you have to pay to ‘officially’ go on the rally, and political campaigning is restricted – this event has always been free and welcoming.
At Cardiff Trans Pride, political campaigning is welcomed. Chants treated Tory and Labour politicians the same.
Trans Pride organisers had asked me to help advertise the event to maximise trade union participation, which I did.
There were trade union contingents from Unite, PCS, and Unison. I spoke as a Unite the Union Executive Council member, in a personal capacity.
I thanked organisers for this Pride event being free and open. Pride has always been political.
The Stonewall Riots of 1969 was a protest against police harassment. When NHS services are attacked, that’s political.
Labour watering down its Employment Rights Act, that’s political. Watering down workers’ rights makes the working conditions of LGBT+ people worse.
I emphasised that the solution therefore has to be political. And that everyone in the crowd should join a trade union.
The best way to fight for rights is through collective action. With trade union membership at more than 6.5 million, it’s the strongest force in society, if mobilised.
Trade unions
I said that the vast majority of the trade union movement stands in solidarity with trans people, as we understand there isn’t a competition of rights, services, and wealth, it’s just that it’s in the hands of the wrong people – the capitalist class.
‘Divide and rule’ is used to keep us squabbling with each other. Only a socialist society controlled by us will permanently change that.
The 20 November international youth walkout is something people can practically do to oppose war and further attacks on our public services that trans people need.
