Today at my CLP I lost the LGBT Officer post because a straight white man stood against me.
His statement did not have one sentence about LGBT campaigning. Those sharing homophobic content today clapped. There was mass walkout in disgust. I might actually be done. Over to you @UKLabour
How can someone who espoused homophobic views just today get to vote on who represents the LGBT community in our CLP? Tell me why those who have been homophobic & intimidated us – complaints of which were sent a year ago – are still in the party and can pass judgement on our lives?
A straight white man was voted by a straight majority GC to be the LGBT Officer. Tell me how the Labour Party is still the party for equality and social justice? Tell me why I shouldn’t tear up my card right now. Tell me why this CLP is still not under special measures @UKLabour.
As we left we were booed and asked to f*** off by several people? Who were they?
- Someone who compares Gay people to paedophiles!
- Then there was another who tweets about traditional marriage and retweets Mufti Menk (a homophobic hate preacher).
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And of course, there was the one from today who shared videos about disrupting inclusive SRE in the borough & claimed his phone was stolen & other people shared it. @UKLabour, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t want to name & shame them until you deal with the complaints
Finally the person who stood against me who doesn’t for once say how he self identifies in his statement or in his speech. This is what we are dealing with. How is he going to ensure a strong voice for LGBT people when every LGBT person left the room after his election in disgust.
This was my 1 min speech. I am now on an overnight train to Scotland for a conference.
If someone told me five years ago we would be seeing a roll back of LGBT rights I would have laughed but with the rise of the far right that is exactly what is happening.
I grew up in India where being gay was criminalised until very recently- threats of arrest, threats of death and threats of physical violence is what has shaped my queer politics & I won’t cower.
I joined Labour ten years ago because we are the party of equality & social justice. During this time I have been a parliamentary candidates, a Euro candidate and elected a councillor.
Last year we became the first local authority to celebrate LGBT history month and fly the inclusive rainbow flag.
There are two big issues LGBT people currently face in this borough – racism & homophobia. For me they go hand in hand. As Audre Lorde said there are no single issue politics as we don’t lead single issue lives.
Being queer is more than an identity for me, it is my life. From fighting oppression to challenging injustice I will continue to not just be a political officer in this role but a street campaigner.
Please support me.
Come what may LGBT rights will need a voice in this borough & I alongside my fab 🏳️🌈 councillors & friends will continue that.
No threats can stop us. Starts next week✊🏾
Originally posted as a Twitter thread on Thursday 27 June 2019. Reproduced by permission
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