Back to: How to tackle the rise of the anti-gender movement

Lesbian and Gays Support the Migrants is a queer activist group that stands in solidarity with all migrants and refugees.

The group was inspired by Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners who showed solidarity with striking miners in the 1980s and were the subject of the film Pride.

Lesbians and gays support the migrants came together because ‘Not long ago, LGBT+ people were the “illegals” and queer pubs and bars were being targeted in police raids and subject to state violence. Now, it is homes and workplaces of migrants that are targeted. Our queerness is weaponised by the state and media. Hard-won rights for LGBT+ people are presented as part of “British” or “European” values and migrants, particularly Muslim migrants, are constructed as a threat to these values. We see through this attempt to pit oppressed and exploited groups against each other.’

They have focused on intersecting issues through campaigns such as ‘No Cops at Pride’ where they campaigned against police presence during Pride parades. They bring to light how the struggles of queer people and migrants intersect, explaining that ‘Some of us in the queer community might not feel that violence from police today, but this important part of our history highlights how who is and isn’t on the right side of the law is changeable. The police aren’t neutral. Instead, their role is to enforce the demands of those currently in power.’

They are an example of a group whose very mission is intersectional. By highlighting issues like policing of both groups, they connect issues back to their roots. They also highlight how the same governments and hierarchies oppress different groups in similar ways, and call for solidarity across groups to help resist attacks on their human rights.

Discussion

Which gender justice principles are present in this case study? How did this group use intersectionality in their work?

Share your thoughts with other learners in the comments section.

Further learning

Read LGBT refugees are part of a long history of queer migration and they need our support