by Migrants’ Rights Network’s Queer Staff
Pride Month isn’t about ‘integration’ or rainbow capitalism. It’s about radical queer joy, rage and resistance.
As a majority-queer migrants’ rights charity, we are at the forefront of the growing political attacks on migrants and queer communities, specifically trans+ people. Every June, we call for the true origins of Pride to be honoured: origins that were founded amidst revolt when the first stone* was thrown at Stonewall in 1969 when racialised queer and trans people stood up against State racism and queerphobia.
But this year, we don’t believe that’s enough. This year, we’re really p*ssed off.
In the last few months, we’ve seen a surge of racist immigration proposals in the Border Security Bill and Immigration White Paper, to the far-right Reform UK banning Pride flags outside their council buildings and insidious Supreme Court ruling on the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010, the attack on both queer people and migrants is ramping up.
We’ve failed to stop too many deportation flights. Spoken to too many people left in limbo in the asylum system. Witnessed too many racist immigration raids unfold around us. Worried about the safety of our neighbourhood Mosques as riots unfolded. We’re becoming afraid to walk home and are fearful for the safety of our queer communities. It’s not good enough to be indifferent or don a rainbow flag repeating messages about inclusion. Because the situation is serious: the far-right are tightening their grip.
But we’re not going anywhere. Despite attempts to erase us, we will stand hand-in-hand with our migrant, Muslim and trans+ siblings. Following in the footsteps of our queer ancestors, we’re harnessing the power of our communities, calling for an overhaul of the systems that oppress us all, and call for collective liberation and the recognition that our struggles are interconnected.
Be gay, do rage.
Solidarity, the Migrants’ Rights Network
*and bins, rocks, bricks, bottles, rubbish
