Pride London – 27 June 2015
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The TUC has issued the following briefing note for union members wishing to participate in the trade union section of Pride London.
Trade Unions at Pride in London 27 June 2015
Briefing for unions
Despite the decision by the board of Pride London to relocate the trade union section on Pride from the front to Section C of the Pride parade, the decision by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) to maintain their link with the trade unions means we have the opportunity to create a brilliant presence for unions and our message of solidarity and resistance to austerity on the streets of London on Saturday, 27 June.
Joining the parade
The unions will be formed up in Section C: this is located at the junction of Blandford Street and Baker Street (equidistant between Baker Street and Marble Arch stations).
Please respect the agreed order of our section:
LGSM, with their brass band, choir, NUM banners and supporters will form the first part of this section (officially C0). The trade contingent (walking groups) will form up behind LGSM (section C1). Immediately behind will be the floats of Unite (C2), GMB (C3) and NUT (C4). So bring your banners along and join us in and around section C1; there won’t be any artificial divisions between C1 and the trade union floats.
You are asked not to arrive earlier than 12 noon. But please do plan to arrive on time because this year’s parade may be the biggest ever and it may become difficult to make your way to our section through the crowd if you are late, or carrying a large banner etc.
The front of the parade will set off at 1pm. It is very likely that section C may not get underway until 1.30pm and you may wish to plan refreshments and comfort breaks accordingly.
The parade goes down Baker Street, turns left into Oxford Street, then down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus and on down to Trafalgar Square before ending down Whitehall where people may disperse.
There will be places along the route where you can leave the parade if needed, and stewards should be able to advise you of the nearest such gap in the fencing.
We hope that many marchers will make their way back to Trafalgar Square to take part in the rally and festival and visit the union stalls, which this year will be in marquees in front of Canada House. The speakers on the platform will include Mike Jackson from LGSM, Sîan James (former MP from South Wales) and Paul Nowak, TUC Assistant General Secretary who has also decided to bring his family with us on the parade.
Getting the message out
T-shirts
The TUC has produced new brightly-decorated Pride t-shirts. These will be distributed at the TUC LGBT Conference on Friday, 26 June, via delegation leaders. Others not at the conference who want to wear one on parade will need to contact the TUC to organise collection.
Placards
Courtesy of SERTUC there will be 100 placards with LGBT anti-austerity messages that we want marchers to carry during the parade. It is anticipated that these will be handed out from one or more of the three trade union floats. Please check when you arrive at the assembly point.
It would be helpful if union officers/organiser could identify members of their contingent willing to carry these placards.
Behaviour on the Parade
Everyone taking part in Pride has been asked to agree to a code of conduct: this will come naturally to trade unionists! But it is important that our reputation is not damaged (and the future of Pride itself is not imperilled) by anyone being drunk or disorderly, or showing violence to others, or carrying or using drugs. The Pride stewards are mainly volunteers and everyone needs to show them the respect we expect from others.
A great opportunity for the trade union movement!
Pride in London 2015 has already attracted much publicity for the wrong reasons – the TUC and the TUC LGBT Committee want instead for there to be such a large, colourful and dynamic trade union presence that everyone will remember the event as the best ever labour movement presence and a big opportunity to show the diverse LGBT communities that we are part of the movement for LGBT equality – and that our campaign against austerity and to persuade LGBT workers that their rightful place is in our unions is going to be seen, and heard!
For any further information please contact Peter Purton, TUC LGBT policy officer on ppurton@tuc.org.uk.
June 2015.
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