Throughout the month of June, communities across the United
States celebrate LGBT Pride. Following are reports on Party for
Socialism and Liberation’s participation in Pride activities during
the weekend of June 25-26.
San Francisco
The last weekend of June becomes a
massive statement of pride, diversity and celebration in San
Francisco, as the month of lesbian, gay, bi and transgender pride
celebration culminates with massive rallies and marches.
The weekend was kicked off by June 24
with the 8th annual transgender march as thousands of
trans people and supporters gathered at Dolores Park for a rally of
trans politics and culture. People marched from Dolores Park down
Market Street to UN Plaza. PSL members marched with TransLatinas
chanting, “What do we want? Trans rights. When do we want them?
Now!” and carrying signs,”Trans rights are workers rights,”
“Inclusive ENDA now,” and “Remember Gwen Araujo,” a
transgender youth whose 2004 murder sparked the first San Francisco
trans march. June 25 saw tens of thousands of women gather at
Dolores Park for the 19th annual Dyke March which began
with a rally and march to the Castro District.
On June 26, hundreds of thousands of
LGBT people and supporters marched and gathered on both sides of
Market Street in the 41nd annual SF Pride Parade. The
parade was the culmination of a weekend whose overall theme was
“Stand Up for LGBT Youth!” Two hundred contingents marched
representing the rainbow of interests and constituencies that
comprise the LGBT community.
PSL members joined with ANSWER
activists to march with the UNITE/HERE Local 2 hotel workers union
under the banner “LGBT Power + Union Power = EQUALITY.” The float
and union/community contingent was well-received by onlookers who
gave a thumbs up and raised fists as the contingent passed chanting,
“Gay, straight, Black, white, same struggle, same fight,” and
“Hey all my people/gays/dykes/sisters/brothers, YEAH, tell the
story, YEAH, tell the whole damn world that this is union territory.”
–Saul Kanowitz
New York City
The weeks
before the big Pride parade in Greenwich Village were jammed packed
with major organizing activities in particular due to the same-sex
marriage bill which was up for legalization. People of all genders,
races and sexual orientation took to Albany and New York City to
demand that political officials take the needs of LGBT people
seriously and allow marriage equality. Meanwhile, the Continental Bar
campaign took a central role for the PSL branch in New York in doing
outreach within the LGBT community.
The Continental Bar has
been throwing its hateful agenda towards people of color and members
of the LGBT community for a long time. Bouncers at this bar have
openly said “We’re not letting your kind in,” to LGBT people
and have physically harmed LGBT patrons.
PSL members took this story to every
Pride event possible: the Trans Action March at Foley Square where
transgendered people demanded equality now and at the Pride parade
where members of the ANSWER Coalition demanded an end to all bigotry
and discrimination, not now but yesterday.
The marriage bill was passed the day
before the pride parade which made people very receptive to the
parade participants message. Hundreds of people took fliers and
agreed with all the actions that have taken place against the bar.
Pride events continue well into August in New York City. We will
continue to organize against the Continental Bar and fight with the
LGBT community until full equality is won—even long after all the
Pride events are done.
–Kerbie Joseph
Chicago
Nearly
one day after the same-sex marriage bill was passed in New York,
Chicago held its 42nd annual Pride Parade. With hundreds of thousands
in attendance, the message of equality was heralded with high
spirits. The victory in New York inspired many of the people in
attendance to come out in celebration.
The
ANSWER Coalition, of which PSL is a member, participated in the
parade carrying a banner that stated, “We Will Win: Full Federal
Equality for LGBT People Now!” Petitions making the same demand,
were signed by hundreds. Supporters of the LGBT struggle chanted
“Harvey Milk was right, show your pride and fight!” and “Gay,
straight, Black, white, marriage is a civil right!”
Bigoted
vandals attempted to sabotage Chicago Pride. The night before the
parade. Tires were slashed on 51 floats. This hateful action did not
dampen the people’s spirits which were focused on bringing full
equality here in Illinois and all across the country.
Until
the rights of LGBT people are fully recognized the ANSWER Coalition
will continue to be out in the streets fighting for the rights of all
oppressed people.
–Ana
Santoyo
