Stonewall Cymru LGBT Hustings: What I Wish We Could Have Said

The Stonewall Cymru hustings was unfortunately a missed opportunity for LGBT+ people to really hold candidates to account. It was very stage managed with no questions taken and all chat functions on Zoom disabled. Stonewall Cymru also refused the appeal by the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) Wales to include a candidate in the panel, despite TUSC standing in every region in Wales and supporting the demands of the Stonewall Cymru LGBT manifesto.

Stonewall Cymru’s manifesto contained good and important demands that TUSC Wales would fight for. We would have liked the opportunity to explain how we would achieve it and to put to the other candidates, how do they propose to get the funding to meet Stonewall Cymru’s demands and improve society for LGBT+ people? Will they lead a fight in the Welsh Parliament to demand extra funding from Westminster, like TUSC Wales are calling for? Or would they pay for LGBT+ services by making budget cuts elsewhere -  in which case aren’t they just “robbing Peter to pay RuPaul”?

The Tory candidate in his opening remarks claimed that trans rights competed and conflicted with other people’s rights. Unfortunately this was not challenged by the other candidates. TUSC regrets that we were not given the opportunity, which we would have confidently taken, to explain that trans rights do not fundamentally conflict with anyone else’s, that any conflict can be democratically resolved and overcome with a united fight for services. The capitalist class would like nothing less than for us to be divided and argue there is a limited pool of rights or services for us to ration out. TUSC stands for a united working class struggle against all forms of oppression, for LGBT+ liberation, and a socialist world.

The question about what candidates were doing to address discrimination in their own parties had the potential to be interesting. But without accountability from the floor, it was an exercise in self-congratulation removed from the reality of LGBT+ people leaving these parties in protest at the mishandling and tolerance of homophobia and transphobia from senior figures.

Promoted by Dave Warren, TUSC Wales secretary, on behalf of TUSC Wales, 29 Tir Y Farchnad, Gowerton SA4 3GS

TUSC Wales candidates pledge action for LGBT+ rights

 

Photo: Sarah Sachs-Eldridge

TUSC Wales candidates applaud the Stonewall Cymru LGBT manifesto launched 29th March. Everyone should support, at a minimum, these important demands.

But achieving these policies requires a fight for the resources we need in society. We need an end to austerity budgets carried out at the behest of big business. TUSC candidates reject the idea that Senedd members and councillors have got no choice but to pass on cuts demanded by the Tory government in Westminster.

Workers, socialists, and trade unionists are standing together in the Welsh Parliament elections as part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). We would lead a fight for the Welsh government to demand the funding needed for services, including LGBT+ services.

Our candidates stand for a mass council house building program, rent controls, and an end to evictions. In addition to targeted measures, this would help address LGBT+ homelessness and make it easier for people to leave homophobic and transphobic homes and locations.

We will reverse cuts to public transport and take public transport into public ownership, so that LGBT+ people aren't isolated, particularly in rural communities.

Rising LGBT+ hate crime in Wales must be combated with a united working class struggle against all forms of oppression, for LGBT+ liberation, and a socialist world.

Socialist Party Wales candidates standing for TUSC say "yes" to self-ID for trans people.

TUSC would reverse cuts to the NHS and increase funding and staffing with a 15% pay rise for all NHS staff. We need NHS investment in general but also specifically in order to offer trans and non-binary people additional gender affirming services not currently available in Wales, such as facial feminisation surgery and permanent facial hair removal options for those who want it.

The belated Welsh Gender Identity Clinic is doing great work, but needs urgent support to bring down the 30 month waiting time. We also need a Welsh NHS gender service for people under the age of 18, in line with international standards, for which no provision currently exists.

LGBT+ workers still face horrendous discrimination and harassment in the workplace, made worse by job insecurity. TUSC Senedd members would fight to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and back the work of fighting trade unions to challenge discrimination of all kinds in the workplace.

Gareth Bromhall, TUSC candidate for South Wales West region and in the Swansea Castle Ward by-election, said: "TUSC pledges to tackle barriers and support LGBT+ rights and services, including supporting the demands rightfully raised by the Stonewall Cymru LGBT manifesto, and to go further, to demand the resources and socialist changes desperately needed in Welsh society, even when other parties will say 'it can't be done'."

Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist on May 6th and support working class fighters for LGBT+ rights.

Come to the launch of the TUSC Wales election campaign:

Thursday April 8th at 7.30pm
Zoom ID: 839 9844 5107

Promoted by Dave Warren, TUSC Wales secretary, on behalf of TUSC Wales, 29 Tir Y Farchnad, Gowerton SA4 3GS