HOPE not hate urge LGBT voters to stop the BNP
27 Apr 2009
Campaign organised to stop "homophobic" and "racist" party.
HOPE not hate, Searchlight's campaign against the British National Party and other racist and fascist organisations, are urging all people including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities to turn out in force for the European Elections on June 4th and use their vote to stop the British National Party gaining a foothold in Europe.
HOPE not hate are dedicated to stopping the BNP all over the country, but Manchester campaigners held a meeting at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation in Manchester on Wednesday 29 April at 6pm, in order to highlight the threat of the BNP and the importance of voting in the European Elections.
LGF online spoke exclusively HOPE not hate's Anthony McCaul about the Manchester campaign to stop the BNP.
McCaul stressed how important it was for all people, especially LGBT people to defend diversity and challenge the BNP. He said: "HOPE not hate Manchester is all about briging together people from across Manchester to stand up for our city and stand against the rascist, homophobic BNP.
"HOPE not hate is a broad coalition of faith groups, community organisations, individuals, trade unions, celebrities, businesses and political parties which has come together to encourage as many people as possible to vote in the European elections on June 4th.
"The LGBT community is an integral part of the tolerant, diverse Manchester which our campaign celebrates and so it's only right that the LGBT community be an important part of our campaign. Manchester is a diverse and tolerant city for LGBT people and we're calling on the LGBT community to join us to defend that tolerance and stand with us."
Worrying LGBT support for the BNP
"I'm not convinced that the comments on your website accurately represent the views of the LGBT community here in Manchester.
"While the BNP are trying to appear more acceptable, scratch the surface and they are still an extremist homophobic organisation who are not on our side. BNP organisers refer to HIV as a friendly disease because it targets blacks and gays, their leader Nick Griffin calls gay people "repulsive creatures" and it was former BNP activist and steward David Copeland who 10 years ago carried out the Soho nailbombings on April 30th 1999.
"I'm not sure how anyone could stand with the BNP given their record of hate against the LGBT community. Our community has struggled against prejudice over a number of years and for LGBT people to identify with people who are directly opposed to who we are, people who peddle prejudice and hate, is just wrong.
"If the BNP gain a seat in the European Parliament our city (Manchester) is damaged and the tolerance we have here is threatened. It is only by the mainstream standing together and celebrating modern Manchester that we can defeat extremism and challenge the politics of hate that the BNP represent."
HOPE not hate's campaign is all about getting people to vote against the BNP in the European elections. McCaul says: "On June 4th people have a real chance to stand up for their values and for what they believe in and to make a difference. Because of the voting system every vote counts.
"HOPE not hate is not about telling people who to vote for, that's up to everyone. What we are about is making sure that the vast majority of decent, tolerant Mancunians understand that the only way to defeat the BNP and stop them gaining a seat in this years Euro elections is to get out there and vote.
"The BNP would be a disaster for our community and for every community in Manchester, the tolerance and diversity of our city would be threatened by the BNP message of hate. It is only by uniting in HOPE that we can defend our city and stop the politics of hate."
HOPE not hate are determined to stop the BNP all over the UK, for more information on your local HOPE not hate group, click here.
Manchester May Day March, Rally and Concert: Manchester TUC, RAPAR, MCDAS, and Love Music Hate Racism have organised an event that aims to bring communities together and get young people involved in politics. "The Right to Work for All" March assembles at All Saints Park at 12 midday on Monday May 4th and from 2pm at Castlefield Arena there will be a rally and concert. Speakers at the rally include Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism and Billy Hayes General secretary of CWU. The concert follows with performannces from Claire Mooney, The Score and the Toxteth Rebel Alliance. For more information click here.
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If the BNP make grounds then its the fault of Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors that ignore their constituents.
I e-mailed my councillor on monday, as a transsexual woman needing her help, she has not replied. Quite frankly its just not good enough. The major paries ignore their electorate, they are arrogant enough to think we vote for them like blind sheep.
I hate the BNP, I have been abused something rotten by them in the past. If the major parties want to stop the evil BNP, then they need to knock on doors and listen to people instead of taking my and other people's vote for granted.
Posted by Stephanie, 08/05/2009 10:19am (1 year ago)
Facts to remember
Germany's thriving LGBT community was systematically taken apart by the Nazis, those that weren't imprisoned or exterminated were driven underground.
David Copeland, the hate bomber who murdered gay men and their friends in the Admiral Duncan in Soho was an ex-member of the BNP
I can remember seeing a BNP sticker in West London in the early 1990's it said "stop the spread of AIDS - outlaw homosexuality"
I honestly think that a lot of the pro-BNP quotes are BNP mischief making but just in case they are not the idea that BNP are in any was at all gay friendly is just completely wrong. Make no mistake the only thing the BNP will bring to Manchester and the North West is more division, more mayhem and more fear....we must never forget our history.
Posted by Kate Richardson, 02/05/2009 3:47pm (1 year ago)
@Kate Richardson:
Could you explain your comment a little more? Which historical facts? A little exposition wouldn't go amiss.
Posted by Jon Atkinson, 01/05/2009 10:09am (1 year ago)
I'm queer, a committed Protestant Christian and fairly traditional in my views. I support the monarchy, the independence of the £, an English Parliament and wish to see better moral, spiritual and respectful qualities in Britain today.
However, anyone who even considers voting for the BNP really need their heads examined. The BNP are a racist, intolerent, homophobic organisation. Make no bones about it - if they come to influence or power, queers in Britain will be in a great exodus to escape from condemnation, intolerence and criminalisation. YES they want to recriminalise what they see as 'deviant activity'.
Immigration ios not the huge issue destroying our country or values as some make out. I would argue its actually New Labour and the Bl;air/ Brown conspiracy that is destroying our civil liberties and identities. Wait until you're all forced onto the new New Deal by the Labour government.
The Nazis persecuted Jews, Christians, other faiths, trade unionists, nuns, the disabled, other minority groups and then decimated gays, bisexuals and lesbians. The BNP are of the same political thought train as the Nazis and other facists, hellbent on social conformity and eugenics.
Make no mistake, the BNP are committed to the same thing and you will all suffer if you misguidedly support these vile monsters. They should be opposed at every opportunity, and any self respecting gay lesbian or transgendered person who votes for them, ought to hang their head in shame.
Posted by Tony, 30/04/2009 2:43pm (1 year ago)
What worries me the most is the potential for a situation where some point in the future this level of support for the BNP from within the LGBT community means that the official line drops homophobia but retains the xenophobic pro-white line. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic or Immigrant communities may still be a target for their negative policies yet since LGBT people feel less threatened by them that could be the ideal way for them to win new voters. BNP supporters often claim that "black people and muslims are homophobic" but LGBT people can be racist too.
But what about those of us who are black/bme and lgbt/queer? Who stands up for us? I am glad to hear the LGF are now pro-actively running a Black LGBT forum and facilitating this type of debate as there are sections of our community who have already joined the BNP's cause - close friends of mine included who have been blinded by the propaganda and scape-goating. The fears about Britain becoming a hard-line Islamic state are so ludicrous. It is very upsetting.
I am "mixed race" but I was born here, and so were both of my parents and all of my grandparents except for one who came to Britain from a former colony to help with the war effort in the 1940's - yet because of this even if I did subscribe to their dodgy school of thought I am "not eligible" because I'm "not British enough"!
They should consider the fact that "Mixed Race" people are the fastest growing ethnic group in Britain and if that should be something to celebrate rather than something we should fear!
As people mix more and more there will be more people like me that simply confuse and diffuse the aims of the BNP and the parties/groups who are even more extreme than they are.
Sadly the existing political parties are part of the problem too - I agree with the message that any vote against the most destructive one is perhaps the only way to stop a very scary situation.
Labour activists should take a look at themselves and consider why the BNP exists in the first place and why so many otherwise intelligent and tolerant people have become sympathetic to their cause.
Posted by David Henry, 29/04/2009 5:05pm (1 year ago)
From Kate Richardson, Vice-President, Manchester Trades union council
I think it is important that we remember some important historical facts.
Posted by Kate Richardson, 29/04/2009 2:22pm (1 year ago)
"We're gay and we vote BNP!"
Is that the BNP's online astroturfing campaign I can smell?
http://www.datadial.net/blog/index.php/2009/04/27/case-study-how-not-to-do-social-media-digg-the-bnp-and-operation-outreach/
Posted by the boz boz, 29/04/2009 11:35am (1 year ago)
I am happy to call myself homosexual these days when referring to my sexual orientation rather than 'gay', and this Searchlight/Hope not Hate LGBT campaign reminds exactly why. The presumption that 'Gay and Lesbian' must equate with support for mass immigration and other liberal/leftist causes highlights the socio-political constraints which the 'LGBT community' has come to represent and which I find completely alienating.
I am a strong BNP supporter, and I've read up on their policies as well as statements some members have made about homosexuality. I am quite happy with BNP policy which is, as I understand it, to respect the rights of people to practice and express any sexual desire they wish providing it involves consenting adults, but to oppose teaching sexual 'awareness' - whether it be homo or hetero - to 6 year olds,as is soon to be introduced in schools.
I am an atheist but I can understand and accept that homosexuality will always be abhorrent to many people with strong religious views as they interpret religious teaching - just as is it is our right not to believe.
As has already been pointed out on here, the Muslim, Afro-Caribbean and African cultures are generally much more 'homophobic' than those of the BNP or native Britons. This is just one reason why I support a party which wants to stop immigration completely and to introduce voluntary, negotiated resettlement.
Thankfully, my first allegiance and affinity is to my own kindred British people, not to what I feel is a nebulous, culturally and politically oppressive 'community' based upon sexual prefernce.
Posted by Happy British nationalist, 28/04/2009 10:38pm (1 year ago)
Hi all and thanks for all of your responses.
We have had several unpleasant and negative comments submitted by one person so commenting on this story is now being heavily moderated.
I'm happy to post comments from people who have clearly considered their response or wish to put across a differing point of view but there always has to be one or two that spoil it for everyone else.
From this point, any comment similar in tone to the ones already posted will be deleted. Anything offering something new for readers to consider will happily be shown.
I'm all for discussion, especially showing different sides and arguments, so please feel free to continue contributing.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Marc, 28/04/2009 3:53pm (1 year ago)
A BNP Organiser said that HIV / AIDS is a friendly disease because 'the blacks and gays' have it...
BNP Leader and Euro Candidate in the North West Nick Griffin has called for homosexuality to be re-criminalised...
The BNP hate LGBT people, they hate people from ethnic minorities, they hate everyone who wasn't born in this country and doesn't have a white face. They hate me, they hate you and they hate everyone else who doesn't conform to their fascist world view.
Anyone with an OUNCE of sense would see through their guise of civility and get out and vote for HOPE not hate on June 4th.
Posted by Kevin Peel, 28/04/2009 11:48am (1 year ago)
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