Spirit of fightback at huge London Trans Pride
by Ash Ritchie, Northampton Socialist Party
150,000 people marched, according to London Trans+ Pride organisers. The huge number is not surprising, given the Supreme Court ruling being used to attack trans people and others.
The size shows the anger and urgency felt. When one group’s rights are attacked, working-class people do show up in solidarity.
The atmosphere was anger, resistance, and determination. Trans Pride typically remains more radical and political than other Pride events, which have increasingly become corporate funded.
Many conversations Socialist Party members had with other attendees reflected this. Pride’s origin as a protest is being diluted by corporate interests.
Chants echoed down the streets, with calls and responses.
- “When trans rights are under attack, what do we do?”
- “Stand up, fight back!”
- “What do we want?”
- “Trans rights”
- “When do we want them?”
- “Now”
As well as “No Pride in Genocide”, showing the link between different movements.
Next steps include building organisations with democratic structures, to ensure safeguarding, training, and stewarding, so everyone is safe on these demonstrations. This should be the role of the trade unions.
Consultation on the anti-trans guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) ends on 6 August. Afterwards, employers will start to decide and implement policies. The trade unions have an important role fighting against bosses’ attempts at division, and to fight for the needs of all to be met.
This year reveals a movement that refuses to be pushed back into silence. Now, that energy has to be carried into our workplaces, unions, and communities, building the democratic structures capable of defending trans rights every day of the year.
If Pride began as a riot, then our task today is to turn that spirit into organised, collective resistance. A movement powerful enough to meet the attacks coming.