Stonewall and Pride In London; The Politics of Racism

Stonewall (a UK LGBT organisation) on Friday 23rd released a statement via Pink News that they will be pulling out of Pride In London (UK largest pride celebration) because of racism and will be diverting its resources towards supporting UK Black Pride (UK largest pride for LGBT people of colour).

While on the surface this idea from Stonewall is laudable and one that we should celebrate, it is also important to understand that this action by Stonewall could either be termed as a political maneuvering designed for the overthrown and complete overtake of Pride in London by UK largest LGBT charity, (I made this statement with caution), or to completely undermine the effort of Pride in London to make pride inclusive.

Safe to say though that Stonewall has a point. It is not a lie that Pride in London has issues with racism and I have experienced it myself at pride events. It is not a lie that the management team of Pride in London was predominantly white and male in a city like London where diversity is the unique selling point.

It is also not a lie that pride in London engagement with the LGBT people of colour community is one that is challenging as outlined in Pride in London CAB report from the 2017 pride event.