London Pride -

Marching against homophobia & racism

Socialist Party members campaigning at Pride, photo Chris Newby

Members of the Socialist Party lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group and London Socialist Party had a fantastic response when campaigning against homophobia on Saturday 5 July.

Greg Randall, Convenor, Socialist Party LGBT group

We were virtually the only people trying to put some politics into the day, campaigning against the racist and homophobic British National Party and the bigoted mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Helped by our well-presented stall and teamwork, we made a big impact. Our leaflet calling for a united fight against homophobia was well received.

We had the best response from younger people on the march, many of whom were at their first Pride event, and did not just want to celebrate but also fight for LGBT rights. 100 copies of The Socialist were sold and over £160 was raised towards the party's fighting fund.

This response shows the growing mood of anger in society with the economy slowing down and the rights and living conditions of working-class people under attack. A layer of people are looking towards radical ideas and want to fight back against the effects of the capitalist system.

Boris jeered

Johnson had the cheek to lead the march, despite his record of comparing gay civil marriage to marrying a dog, and has supported the homophobic Section 28. Johnson was booed on some parts of the march.

Also booed was Labour Party deputy leader and equalities minister Harriet Harman, due to the government's record of deporting gay asylum seekers, when she spoke from the Pride stage.

Pride was established as part of the LGBT community's calendar after the Stonewall riot in New York in 1969, when drag queens fought police raiding a gay bar.

The movement for gay rights took off after this, and Pride used to be political event, fighting for equality and liberation. In the past ten years it has been depoliticised, the march now being described as a 'parade' and with big businesses such as the anti-union British Airways sponsoring it.

The LGBT group will be meeting this September to discuss the ideas and action needed to build support for socialism in the LGBT community, aiming to make our work at next year's Pride bigger and better.

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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.