People Before Profit Newry is set to hold a public meeting in the city next week focusing on LGBTQ+ rights and what the party describes as the ongoing struggle for trans liberation.
The event, titled “Solidarity Not Scapegoating – Fighting for Trans Liberation”, will take place at Ballybot House, Newry, on Wednesday 26 August at 7pm.
The meeting follows Newry Pride, which takes place this Saturday, 22 August.
People Before Profit says the event will examine the politics surrounding Pride, LGBTQ+ rights and, in particular, issues currently affecting transgender people.
Speakers advertised for the meeting include Zoe Laplaud of Transgress and Marc Mac Seáin, alongside other contributors.
Announcing the event, PBP Newry said it believes transgender people and the wider LGBTQ+ community are increasingly being drawn into political and cultural disputes.
The party said:
«“The Right is organising to strip away LGBTQ+ rights, drag us backwards towards reactionary politics and spread division and hate.”»
PBP also referred to incidents in Newry last year in which Pride flags were removed, arguing that greater solidarity is required in response to hostility towards LGBTQ+ communities.
The group said the meeting would draw on the history of solidarity between LGBTQ+ activists and other political and social movements, highlighting the relationship between Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners and striking miners during the 1980s as an example.
A significant part of Wednesday’s discussion is also expected to focus on the continuing political controversy surrounding puberty blockers for under-18s.
Their use for under-18s experiencing gender dysphoria has been the subject of restrictions across the UK, while Northern Ireland’s involvement in the proposed PATHWAYS clinical trial also became a political issue earlier this year. In February, questions were raised at Stormont over Northern Ireland’s potential participation in the trial.
The wider PATHWAYS trial was subsequently paused while concerns raised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency were considered. The UK Government confirmed in March that recruitment would not begin until those issues had been resolved.
People Before Profit has strongly opposed restrictions on access to puberty blockers and argues that political parties should be held accountable for their positions on transgender issues.
In its Newry statement, the party said:
«“We need to organise and fight back. We won’t take a single step backwards.”»
The meeting is being promoted as an open public discussion, with PBP encouraging members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and others interested in the debate to attend.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Solidarity Not Scapegoating – Fighting for Trans Liberation
When: Wednesday 26 August, 7pm
Where: Ballybot House, Newry
Speakers: Zoe Laplaud, Marc Mac Seáin and others
Organised by: People Before Profit Newry
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