Europride Manchester

Stop bullying and discrimination

TENS OF thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people from across Britain and internationally will come to Europride in Manchester.

Europride happening shows the gains that have been made, especially in making homophobia less acceptable. However, to listen to some groups - like Stonewall - you might get the impression that liberation has arrived. Unfortunately it hasn't, and despite gains that can be made - while divisive capitalism dominates people's lives - it won't.

One expert estimates that: "There could be as many as 46,000 young people being bullied for their sexual orientation in secondary schools". 'Gay' is a standard term of abuse in schools.

We stand for raising awareness in schools by pupils and teachers without fear of reactionary government or council legislation, and proper education about all forms of relationships.

Sting in the tail

The government, bowing to years of pressure and to bring legislation into line with European Union law, made welcome though limited reforms on civil partnerships and workplace discrimination. But as always there's a sting in the tail.

The civil partnership bill sanctifies marriage, discriminating against unmarried couples, gay or straight. In the workplace, faith-based organisations claiming a religious 'ethos' can legally discriminate against LGBT workers!

It seems like there's an endless hill to climb before liberation can be reached. At root there's one problem - the capitalist system.

Based on divisions, capitalism generates homophobia and other prejudices. Power concentrated in the hands of an elite means power relations form on divisive lines. This leads to some taking out their frustrations on a 'soft' target by bullying others, including young people seen as different.

For bosses and the politicians their first concern is keeping power at any cost, including whipping-up prejudices. So Bush in the US, for example, attacks gay marriage to divert poor Christians from their poverty along right-wing religious lines to re-elect him in November.

So long as society is based on class divisions, the prejudices that flow from this will remain.

We fight for every reform, applaud every step forward, and campaign to raise awareness. To make this lasting, in a society where these rights can be guaranteed and the roots of discrimination eradicated, we fight for socialism. Join us!

For details of the Socialist Party LGBT Group, contact Manny on 020 8988 8772
[email protected]
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Finance appeal

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.