Peter Tatchell: ‘Stop UKIP from marching in London Pride’
By Will Stroude
Peter Tatchell has weighed in on the controversy surrounding UKIP’s decision to march in this year’s London Pride, saying it is “not appropriate” for a party which does not promote LGBT equality to partake in the event.
It was revealed earlier this week that UKIP LGBT+ will take part in the parade on Saturday June 27, after making its first ever application to do so.
Many of the party’s most prominent members have caused ongoing controversy for making homophobic remarks, while leader Nigel Farage faced a backlash during this year’s general election campaign after blaming foreign-born HIV patients for putting a strain on NHS funding.
As well as opposing equal marriage, UKIP was the only major party not to mention LGBT issues in its election manifesto earlier this year.
The party’s inclusion immediately sparked controversy, with a petition already circulating calling for the party to be banned from taking part in the parade because of it’s poor record on LGBT rights.
In a statement to PinkNews, Mr Tatchell said: “It is not appropriate for any organisation that opposes LGBTI equality to participate in the Pride London parade. UKIP campaigned against same-sex marriage and supports the right of faith organisations to discriminate against LGBTI people. It’s general election manifesto included no commitment to LGBTI equality. Nigel Farage scapegoated non-British people with HIV.
The human right campaigner – who last month said that UKIP deserved better parliamentary representation given the votes it received in last month’s election – continued: “Many of UKIP’s candidates and elected politicians have made extremist anti-gay comments that echo the homophobia of the far right BNP. Their asylum policy would make it much harder for LGBTI people fleeing persecution to gain refugee status.
“UKIP wants to exploit Pride to promote their party and con the LGBTI community into believing they are LGBTI-friendly. Pride London should only allow organisations that support LGBTI equality to join the parade.”
Pride in London have already issued a statement on UKIP’s inclusion, saying that all organisations taking part must comply with the event’s code of conduct, but that they do not discriminate against groups on the basis of political affiliation.
“Pride in London is inclusive of all LGBT+ groups, including political groups and – as with all entrants – they must sign and comply with our code of conduct.” he said.
“We provide a platform for every part of the LGBT+ community and respect the principles of free speech. We do not discriminate against people based on their political affiliation, and all political parties taking part in the Parade will be positioned together in the same section.
“However, Pride in London will continue to monitor community reaction and include the Community Advisory Board in this conversation.”
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