Greens back Gay Rights event

15th May

Sheffield Green Party is supporting the International Day Against
Homophobia event which is taking place on Saturday (17th May 2008) at
Barkers Pool, Sheffield City Centre. Speakers at the event will include
the new Council leader and representatives from Amnesty International,
the European Parliament and South Yorkshire Police.

Green Councillor Bernard Little commented,

“When gay rights are suppressed, it is a loss to the whole democratic
and human rights movement. The advance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender human rights strengthens every struggle for freedom, justice
and equality.

"The gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, who is a Green Party member,
was beaten up by extremist thugs last year at a Gay Pride event in
Moscow, while Russian police stood by. Mr Tatchell was arrested by riot
police, but his attackers went free. This is an example of how basic
human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest are still
being denied in many countries across the world".

"This is why it is so important that the LGBT human rights movement is
not separate from the broader human rights movement-but part of it.
Sheffield Green Party welcomes this celebration of LGBT rights".

ENDS