“New, harmful, government guidance on trans young people in schools which risks returning us to the dark days of Section 28.”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY NORTHERN PRIDE
On 22 July, the annual march through Newcastle city centre to the Town Moor for the Northern Pride Festival will be led by young people and community groups across the region. Their purpose? To highlight the continued struggles facing the LGBTQIA community.
Northern Pride’s slogan Remember, Resist And Rise Up seems particularly pertinent given the current developments occurring within politics across the world regarding LGBTQIA rights.
This year’s march will mark the 20 years since the repeal of Section 28 – laws which prohibited “the promotion of homosexuality” within schools – and will also highlight the current threats to LGBTQIA rights within government.
Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, commented: “The legislation, which forbade teachers from even acknowledging the existence of LGBTQIA+ people in the classroom had profound effects on young people at the time, effects which are still being felt today.”
“New, harmful, government guidance on trans young people in schools which risks returning us to the dark days of Section 28,” he continued.
“The march will remember the impact it had at the time, pay homage to those who lived through it and are still experiencing its effects today and rise up against further legislative attempts to undermine the community and our rights to live as we are.”
Northern Pride Festival will be a celebration of LGBTQIA life, showcasing a number of amazing queer performers and stalls. Full details are available at www.northern-pride.com
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