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Brighton Pride: Trans activists block Labour Party in parade

64 replies

IwantToRetire · 07/08/2023 18:53

Trans rights activists blocked Labour activists, councillors and MPs during the Pride parade to protest against the party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.

Protesters held a banner that said “Starmer Hates Trans People” in front of a group of party members, including Hove MP Peter Kyle, council leader Bella Sankey and Eddie Izzard, who is hoping to become Brighton Pavilion's MP in the future.

Trans rights campaigners have expressed anger at Labour after party leader Keir Starmer rowed back on plans to introduce a self-identification system to allow transgender people to legally identify as their chosen gender without a medical diagnosis.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23706755.brighton-pride-trans-activists-block-labour-party-parade/

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In the meantime Labour is now trying to "soften" their message about supporting women with this statement:

Anneliese Dodds: Labour wants to tackle ‘indignities’ for trans people and protect women’s spaces

“We are continuously learning about the situation for trans people,” she said, in an interview with i. “We have also seen developments in Scotland where the SNP had a particular approach where the result of that has been conflict, fuelled by the Conservatives in Westminster, and actually trans people are no further on.

“There’s been a tremendous row, there’s taxpayers money being paid on legal challenges but trans people are no further forward and I don’t want to see that situation.

“I want us to be able to reform, to remove those indignities and at the same time to have a system that is robust that commands public confidence.”

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/anneliese-dodds-labour-indignities-trans-people-womens-spaces-2528235

Trans activists block Labour in Pride parade with 'Starmer Hates Trans People' banner

Trans rights activists blocked Labour activists, councillors and MPs during the Pride parade to protest against the party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23706755.brighton-pride-trans-activists-block-labour-party-parade

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Original poster
IwantToRetire · 08/08/2023 16:59

The picture of the trans activists blocking the Labour contingent in terms of image rather than banners, is very reminiscent of when Get the L Out held up another Pride march.

Wouldn't you think that by now people would be starting to see that the Pride "umbrella" is phoney and nothing more than a marketing ploy. And worse still doesn't allow groups within it a genuine voice.

Some person from the Brighton Pride organisers told a tv news reported that in terms of LGBTQI+ that the LGB issues were basically settled and the focus needed to be on trans and queer.

OP posts:
Original poster
IwantToRetire · 08/08/2023 16:55

re Brighton going Labour

I very much doubt that having Labour in the local council will make anything better for women. Most Labour councils are busy cutting women's service provision on the basis of cost ie allowing tendering on value for money being the sole criteria.

And whilst the work of Rise is not to be questioned it is a trans inclusive organisation, so them having the money cut would not be about them actually being a women's service porvider as allowed under the EA single sex exemptions.

But I am prepared to see some unLabour like moves, eg providing a genuince women only rape crisis service, unlike the trans dominated one currently funded.

And given Brighton Women’s Liberation Collective hostile and inaccurate attack on KJK not exactly a sound source of feminist tactics. Which is why there is now an alternative feminist group organising (Sussex Sisters?) who clearly do prioritise women.

OP posts:
EmpressaurusOfCats · 08/08/2023 12:40

Regarding the FiLiA21 conference rag-tag 'protest', I think Amnesty tried to distance themselves from the worst of it? But the photos remain all over the internet.

Even the protest organiser tried to claim ignorance of the worst of it.

duc748 · 08/08/2023 12:09

@RebelliousCow

Oh, sure, I agree. Whilst they are still 'Stonewall champions', nothing will change. Including the determination of many not to vote for them. Much as the country needs to see the Tories gone.

DOBARDAN · 08/08/2023 12:07

Before I saw the Amnesty International photo, (it cannot be quoted, but it's on page 2 to view) I had felt most reluctant to be sharing public toilets/changing rooms/showers/hospital wards etc. with these people, but having seen everything captured in the photo, I am relieved in knowing that nothing harmful could ever result from doing so. How silly I was before, they are obviously kind and considerate people who wouldn't want to cause offence or hurt anyone in any way whatsoever. Just read the chalked messages and drawings and especially note what is written on cardboard in felt tip pen. C'mon women and girls, lets share everything together, what's to be concerned about after all?

AutumnCrow · 08/08/2023 11:26

Regarding the FiLiA21 conference rag-tag 'protest', I think Amnesty tried to distance themselves from the worst of it? But the photos remain all over the internet.

RebelliousCow · 08/08/2023 11:26

duc748 · 08/08/2023 11:06

I guess a large part of the problem for Labour (not that I sympathise) is that the more they do row back on their previous statements and attempt to become more women-friendly, the more it looks like they are effectively saying, the Tories were right on this and we were wrong. A position no pol wants to put themselves in. Added, of course, to the more general charge of "flip-flopping", as the Americans say.

The problem is that all Labour are doing is "making statements" designed to smoothe turbulence and distract from actual debate. It is just PR - with nothing of any substance or understanding beneath. They are still Stonewall champions.

Ofcourseshecan · 08/08/2023 11:22

FrancescaContini · 08/08/2023 10:43

What are these “indignities” she refers to, anyway? Any examples?

Yes, I’ve often wondered, and the question is often asked. I’ve never seen a convincing response.

SinnerBoy · 08/08/2023 11:18

Dear me, I'm glad I stopped donating to Amnesty some years ago. I did it as an economy drive, rather than disagreeing with them, but boy! I certainly disagree with them now.

duc748 · 08/08/2023 11:06

I guess a large part of the problem for Labour (not that I sympathise) is that the more they do row back on their previous statements and attempt to become more women-friendly, the more it looks like they are effectively saying, the Tories were right on this and we were wrong. A position no pol wants to put themselves in. Added, of course, to the more general charge of "flip-flopping", as the Americans say.

Ofcourseshecan · 08/08/2023 11:04

EmpressaurusOfCats · 08/08/2023 10:54

I was at FiLiA 2021. Oddly enough the TRAs claimed to know nothing about the obscene placards & drawings in the middle of their protest. Yeah, right.

They also had Amnesty-branded ‘I am who I say I am’ placards. Talk about a safeguarding nightmare.

Oh yes, the infamous ‘don’t listen to nasty grown-ups who tell you not to accept these delicious sweets from strange men’ placards. Shame on Amnesty.

Ofcourseshecan · 08/08/2023 11:01

When will Labour, and all the other enablers, realise that you cannot pacify intransigent people? No matter how much you give, how deeply you abase yourself, how far you go to please them — you will never satisfy them, because their demands are limitless.

So for godsake stop grovelling now.

RebelliousCow · 08/08/2023 10:57

They have said nothing since about any of the issues raised - including the spousal veto, or any of the other statements they have made to the effect of them wanting to make it far easier for people to get a GRC.

RebelliousCow · 08/08/2023 10:55

Anxioys · 07/08/2023 20:54

@RebelliousCow - they will of course vote Labour and carry on moaning but importantly, the election is going to fought on the middle ground of politics. That's where the votes are. Labour cannot win without them and they have been deserting the Conservatives for the last 12 months.

I have never seen a real left wing government in the U.K. and I don't think Keir Starmer is that either.

The Labour party - left/right/centre is still committed to what amounts to Self Id still. If you vote Labour - that is what you are voting for - the mandate you have given them, and will be the justification given when it happens.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 08/08/2023 10:54

I was at FiLiA 2021. Oddly enough the TRAs claimed to know nothing about the obscene placards & drawings in the middle of their protest. Yeah, right.

They also had Amnesty-branded ‘I am who I say I am’ placards. Talk about a safeguarding nightmare.

FrancescaContini · 08/08/2023 10:48

AutumnCrow · 08/08/2023 10:32

Maya captured some corkers in this blog post about FiLiA21 - and don't forget the chalk drawings

https://hiyamaya.net/2021/10/18/amnesty-international-is-sexually-harassing-women-political-protest/

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I remember reading about this. Amnesty International will have lost supporters by being seen to condone the nasty language used in those banners - which is really unfortunate for the people who AI was set up to help.

duc748 · 08/08/2023 10:47

Good work. Be interesting to see Amnesty's response to this.

FrancescaContini · 08/08/2023 10:43

What are these “indignities” she refers to, anyway? Any examples?

AutumnCrow · 08/08/2023 10:32

Ereshkigalangcleg · 08/08/2023 10:18

Hey, Brighton Trans Liberation Front - yer mam wants her sheet back!

(Bonus image from the Glasgow Let Women Speak event. Tervish banners are much cooler than Trans banners)

It's at least an improvement on the scrappy bits of cardboard written with felt tip pen that so many of them have.

Maya captured some corkers in this blog post about FiLiA21 - and don't forget the chalk drawings

https://hiyamaya.net/2021/10/18/amnesty-international-is-sexually-harassing-women-political-protest/

Amnesty International: Is sexually harassing women political protest?

Letter to Amnesty International UK CEO Dear Sacha Deshmukh This weekend I attended and spoke at a feminist conference organised by the charity FiLiA, at the Guildhall in Portsmouth. It was attended…

https://hiyamaya.net/2021/10/18/amnesty-international-is-sexually-harassing-women-political-protest

Ereshkigalangcleg · 08/08/2023 10:18

Hey, Brighton Trans Liberation Front - yer mam wants her sheet back!

(Bonus image from the Glasgow Let Women Speak event. Tervish banners are much cooler than Trans banners)

It's at least an improvement on the scrappy bits of cardboard written with felt tip pen that so many of them have.

margaretatwoodslefteyebrow · 08/08/2023 09:57

At Leeds pride on Sunday the (small group of) Labour marchers had trans rights banners etc in totality with no reference at all to the wider LGB community.

PriOn1 · 08/08/2023 08:56

The thread title made me think of the past, when lesbians who objected to men calling themselves lesbians were the first group to be treated this way. I had a real “first they came for the lesbians” moment.

Looks like the Labour Party might finally begin to see what women have been fighting against. Not going to hold my breath, but never disturb your enemy when he’s making a mistake….

TheClogLady · 08/08/2023 08:18

Hey, Brighton Trans Liberation Front - yer mam wants her sheet back!

(Bonus image from the Glasgow Let Women Speak event. Tervish banners are much cooler than Trans banners)

Brighton Pride: Trans activists block Labour Party in parade
Brighton Pride: Trans activists block Labour Party in parade
fromorbit · 08/08/2023 06:17

No one has mentioned here that I can see that the Brighton Council was taken by Labour from the Greens in May after 20 years. It is the flagship council for the Greens nationwide so it was a massive blow. It is why Labour think they can take Brighton Pavilion and possibly why Caroline Lucas stood down as she may not wanted to face defeat. A lot of local issues lay in the flip, the Greens had made many mistakes, but women's issues were a big factor. Women were organising in the run up to the vote
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2023/01/30/does-brighton-have-a-woman-problem/

RISE scandal - The council stopped funding an excellent well established local refuge run by women, but catering to all, in favour of a more corporate chain more focused on men and using buzz words.
https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2023/03/08/160942/

Brighton Women’s Liberation Collective organises Sisters Salon, the local women's meeting, organised a mass leaflet drop in Brighton focusing on women's issues prior to the election - an election where the Greens were defeated. Brilliant example of local activism and which had an obvious impact.

Whichever party runs Brighton in future it will be the one that doesn't pretend 50% of humanity doesn't exist.

How is RISE doing? Like our women, we’re survivors

Now life has moved back to a semblance of normality, when meeting people in real life I often get asked,

https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2023/03/08/160942

TheClogLady · 08/08/2023 01:57

Protesters held a banner that said “Starmer Hates Trans People” in front of a group of party members, including Hove MP Peter Kyle, council leader Bella Sankey and Eddie Izzard

😂

Operation Let the Trans Activists Speak is going marvellously for the Tervish.

Wonder when the other side will realise they are repeatedly scoring in their own goal?