Brighton and Hove Pride: let's salute the great heroes for LGBT equality
Pic (c) JJWaller.com
Yes, I was a 'sailor' (right) at last year's Pride.
Have fun, be safe and.... yes, celebrate a political day.
Why am I saying that?
Yes, of course, Pride's about having a great time but as many activists explain, it's much deeper than this.
This year's really well-chosen theme is ‘Pride and (no) Prejudice'.
That's an incredibly important and appropriate message because we shouldn't forget the politics, the struggles, and how far equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities has come over the last few years.
Much of this has been as a result of work by progressive legislators in the European Parliament, in which I served for 11 years until my election as a Westminster MP this year.
We shouldn't forget who the heroes have been in the struggles for LGBT equality here and around the world - and how much more there is still to do.
Peter Tatchell, one of our country's great human rights campaigners for LGBT equality, and for so many other vital human rights issues, hopes to be marching on the Parade with the Green Party LGBT group.
I salute Peter and so many other LGBT activists for what they have done to help make our country fairer and more open to LGBT communities.
As an MP and Green Party leader, I've spoken out against prejudice and will continue to campaign for LGBT equality just as I do for other communities who face discrimination or powerful opponents standing in the way of equality.
While progress has been made, there are still some important goals we need to achieve.
For example (just a selection): LGBT people still don't have protection from harassment despite the previous Government's Equality Act.
The ban on gay and bi men donating blood to the National Blood Service continues.
There has been a sharp increase in violence on the LGBT communities.
People who identify as trans are still on the Psychiatric Disorder Register.
While same sex couples are still barred from marriage.
So there's a lot of work to do.
As the MP representing one of the largest LGBT populations in the UK, I pledge to keep up the fight until we've secured these reforms.
Unfortunately, because of family commitments, I can't be at Pride this year.
If you're going, enjoy it, celebrate it and reflect how far we've come.
Also remember LGBT activists around the world, some of whom face persecution and even risk their lives for advancing human rights.
Have a great weekend.
Celebrate - and remember as well.
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Comments:
Richard Chapman
22 October 2010
23:40
There seems to be some level of negativity around this post, but I think that it's a huge credit to Caroline Lucas and the wider Green Party that they are leading the way in LGBT+ rights, and are the only party to cohesively and openly support full equal rights and the ideas of dignity of all.
I think that while keeping political and social inequalities in mind with Pride, it is, in itself, a celebration of people being who they are, and I have to dispute the claims of the resident of Preston Park; Pride is, really, a party before a protest, and while there seems to have been problems with mess and such, people having fun on the one day of the year they are allowed to throw caution to the wind and be themselves should not be criticised. Also, I think that just because an individual is not gay, they should not be frowned upon for joining the celebrations; they may not be proud of their own story and the obstacled they have overcome, but may be so of family, friends, or just the community as a whole, and it's great people feel that way.
And just quickly in response to Jack's comment; to want to be free from discrimination and harrassment is not being 'more equal than others', it is simply the right and freedom to live one's life with dignity and facing as little hate as possible. Religious preachers should be allowed to discuss scripture, but without spreading hate or stating passages as fact when there is debates regarding context and other, contesting passages. This kind of bigotry is not what any mainstream scripture teaches, and often leads to destructive attitudes forming, which, in turn, work to oppress and attack closetted people and youth which leads to the tragedies we have seen in the USA recently. In opening up arguments that say people should be allowed to discriminate, freedom of speech may be slightly extended, but at the expense of freedom of self-expression, privacy, and freedom from discrimation. We should tolerate everything but intolerance as a society, that isn't a notion that is particularly contested in liberal, Western democracies like our own. And in regard to keeping our private lives private, I think it's my right to hold a guy's hand in public, just as much as it is for a heterosexual to hold their partner's hand, and for a government to try infringe on relationships and peaceful, non-intrusive conduct in public is not one I would want to be under, and I'm sure you agree!!
This is a great blog, and continues to show the Green Party's relevance and proud progressiveness in today's political world. It's so important to address the importance of figures such as Peter Tatchell, and the contribution of LGBT+ people in the world.
Tim
30 September 2010
23:36
Freedom of speech is something every sensible thinking person supports. But it has boundaries. If gay people are ‘politely’ told to stay in private and are attacked for their identity, that’s a road to nowhere, strife and hate. That’s not something that should be encouraged even if it's the right of people who dislike them to say it.
To put it the other way, if gay people were to ‘politely’ attack ‘Christians’ for being Christian then we may as well turn the lights off.
Live and let live. What’s the problem?
Jack
22 September 2010
10:44
Does 'harassment' include people openly preaching religious messages whereby homosexuality is outlined as 'sin'?
I think gay people should be allowed to conduct their sex lives as they wish, in private, but people (whether religious or not) must also be able to politely disagree, and even oppose homosexuality. If those who disagree are shut up by law, then we reach the point in Orwell's Animal Farm, where "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Wonder if this comment will actually be approved...?
Gay Preston Park Resident
10 September 2010
08:48
I have just read your Blog on this years Pride celebrations. I am gay and live a stones through from preston park. I have always found pride to have very little do with politics, or even celbrating the heros that have fought for gay rights in this country. It is basically an excuse for a large party. I have always watched the parade, and could not help feel this year that there was little to be proud about. The event has now been taken over by binge drinkers (and worse). To add insult this year as a local resident we were also unable to use the park for days after the event as the organisers were not able to clean up. Eventually after resident complaints the council had to step in to clean up the park, at tax payers exepnse.
It is time the park event was reviewed. Why should public money be used to pay for a party for people who wish to get drunk (50% of which were probably not gay).
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