Pride Parade & Events

by Michael MacLiamoir Mon Jun 30, 2003 16:25

Irish Republican Socialist Party
29 June 2003

Solidarity With the Lesbian and Gay Liberation Struggle

Today is Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered Freedom Day--sometimes
shortened to the more manageable title of "Pride Day"--and the Irish
Republican Socialist Party take this opportunity to express our solidarity
with the working women and men who continue to fight for the liberation of
sexual minorities. We in the IRSP recognise that the discrimination and
oppression confronted by non-heterosexuals are but a manifestation of
capitalism's tendency to divide the community, so that those with a common
interest in changing society remain divided. Like racism, sexism, and
religious sectarianism, heterosexism reduces the democratic content of
society and attempts to scapegoat one group for the shortcomings of the
capitalist system itself.

This day was selected to commemorate the struggle lesbians and gays because
of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. There and then, a handful of
drag queens reached the limit of their tolerance for the abuse meted out to
them by the city's police force and took action. Traditionally among
society's most powerless, these individuals faced down armed police and
sent them into panicked retreat. Their actions brought the broader lesbian
and gay community into an explosion that put the world on notice that no
longer would the denial of civil rights to members of sexual minorities be
accepted. The IRSP is proud to have as one of its US supporters a veteran
of the Stonewall riots and one of three people who went on immediately
afterwards to found the Gay Liberation Front, the most militant voice ever,
at that time, to speak out on behalf of homosexuals. We recognise that the
GLF demonstrated that the roots of this struggle lie in revolutionary
consciousness and we salute this American IRSP supporter for his courage
and pioneering efforts in that fight.

James Connolly told us that it was senseless to speak of national
liberation, if the society to be won would be one in which the majority of
its citizens--the working class--would remain oppressed by capitalism. He
stressed the need to gain the liberation of working class women from their
dual oppression by capitalism and sexism. We in the IRSP recognise that
members of sexual minorities form a section of the working class community.
Our struggle has as its objective the liberation of our class--not a
portion of our class, but of the entire working class. And, we recognise
that this cannot be achieved while any section of our class remains under
the heel of oppression.

The right to identify ones own sexuality without fear of reprisal is a
basic democratic right. Working class people have no interests in
preserving and promoting capitalist models of proper male or female
behavior. The working class has no interest in maintaining a heterosexual
monopoly on the expression of sexuality. The struggle for socialism is a
fight for an equitable distribution of the benefits of life. This is as
true about the ability to express ones love and desire for another without
fear, as it is about seeking a fair share of society's wealth. As
revolutionary socialists, we in the IRSP support all struggles seeking
greater freedom to attain those things which give life meaning and value.
As revolutionary socialists, we in the IRSP oppose all forms of
exploitation, inequality, and injustice. We support the struggle of sexual
minorities to gain equality with other members of society and we reject all
forms of discrimination against them.

Stonewall is a part of our heritage, just as much as any fight waged for
national liberation, women's liberation, civil rights, better working
conditions, or fair compensation of labour are parts of our heritage. We
are out for the freedom of the working class; straight, lesbian, gay, bi,
or transgendered. We stand in solidarity with all members of the working
class and especially with those fighting to end all forms of social
oppression.

ENDS


392 Falls Road
Belfast BT12 6DH
Ireland

by Dessert Fox Tue Jul 01, 2003 00:41

Cut out the homophobia or we'll cut your fingers off!

by Hilton Edwards Tue Jul 01, 2003 17:06

YOU ARE INVITED!

The Irish Queer Archive, in association with OUThouse, is proud to present

PRIDE & PROTEST - thirty years of lesbian/gay pride in Ireland.

An exhibition of materials from IQA's collections is on display at OUThouse,
105 Capel Street, Dublin 1, until
4 August 2003.


The selection of posters, flyers, photographs and news clippings is designed
to illustrate the growth and
confidence of the lesbian/gay civil rights movement since its inception in
1974 and also mark the tenth
anniversary of the decriminalisation of anti-gay legislation (notably the
Sexual Offences Act 1861).

A unique attraction at the exhibition called "Everybody's Diary",
encouraging visitors to document their own
Pride moments in a bound ledger for deposit at the Archive will be formally
launched by Senator David
Norris and distinguished guests Phyllis Burke and Dr. Lydia Foy on
Wednesday 2nd July at 1800h.

I.Q.A. also hopes that the exhibition will be a calling card to potential
donors and individuals who are
interested in supporting its valuable work.

The exhibition runs Monday to Saturday from 1200-1730hm, is free and open to
all.

- ends -

More information please contact: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Alternatively,
Tonie Walsh, Curator, IQA, c/o 2 Scarlet Row, Old City, Temple Bar, Dublin
2.
More information: +353 (0)87.953 1779