Happy Pride Month!
The Editors of The Class Struggle Chronicle
6/1/2024
Happy Pride Month, Fellow Workers!
When one traces the oppression of the LGBTQ Community, one invariably finds a strong link to the historic oppression of women in society. Both oppressions spring from an intolerance of those who would question the conservative gender roles traditionally espoused by the ruling owning class. In the past, these cultural norms have been solidly enshrined in our society for the purpose of maintaining the owning class’s hegemonic control over working people, insisting that men remain the chief industrial laborers. Thus, historically, women have been confined and relegated to domestic labor duties and any identities or notions which call for the liberation of women and queer folk have been zealously repressed. These old bigotries have served the ruling class well, creating wedges between working people as they bicker over the morality of same-sex marriage and trans-affirming care instead of focusing their attention on the gross exploitation that the owning class imposes upon all working people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Only in recent history have working people begun to see through the lies and fear tactics inherent in the hatred of queer people. Through the courageous act of “coming out,” sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, neighbors and fellow workers, have shown their friends, family, and fellow laborers that to be queer is not something to be despised or frightened of. Young people today are not just overwhelmingly pro-union, they are also socially progressive and are creating a society where queer people can live in safety and with dignity. This is not to say that the Queer Community is liberated from oppression, of course. On the contrary, the United States is currently witnessing a renewed assault on LGBTQ people with reactionary legislative attacks and a rise in crimes against queer folk, particularly trans and gender-nonconforming people. The struggle for queer liberation, like the struggle for working class liberation, is far from over; in fact, both struggles are intricately connected and must be tackled jointly by working people the world over.
So, what is the way forward?
For those who support the status quo, the answer is simple: we must elevate queer people to positions of power. Representation, proponents of this path argue, is the key to ending the oppression of the Queer Community. Sometimes labeled “rainbow capitalism,” this idea springs from the old lie of neoliberal “trickle-down” economics that insists when prosperity is “achieved” by a minority, the remaining majority will inevitably benefit. Similar remedies are offered to Black folk, women, and other oppressed communities. However, history proves this claim utterly false and illustrates that this approach does not and cannot contain the answer to ending the oppression of queer people or any other tyrannized community.
We see this insidious idea taking root at contemporary Pride events where corporations are front and center, waving their rainbow flags when only a few years ago they were denying applications from and outright firing queer workers with impunity. Cops, who regularly raided queer establishments and brutalized patrons just a few short decades ago (and who still terrorize Black communities and beat striking workers), are welcomed and celebrated in Pride parades. Surely this is not the vision of Pride that the Stonewall rioters envisioned. Surely this is not the idea that the early queer organizers and activists had in mind when they presented the oppression of queer folk as part and parcel of the economic system which exploits all working people.
Changing the identity of the oppressor does not end oppression. Allowing for the token gay or trans or Black or woman CEO does not make our economic system any less exploitative or ruthless. The only path to liberation available for working and oppressed people requires mass solidarity across various identities and the smashing of social divides. If the way of the owning class is to divide and conquer, the way of the working class must be to unite and struggle.
In the spirit of solidarity with queer workers, the editors of The Class Struggle Chronicle have two recommendations for our readers to celebrate Pride Month this year:
For our film junkie readers: the movie, “Pride,” was released in 2014 and tells the true story of a group of queer activists in London who built ties of solidarity with striking coal miners in the United Kingdom under Margaret Thatcher’s regime. Led by Mark Ashton, a communist organizer, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) raised funds from a queer community skeptical of supporting coal miners to give to coal miners skeptical of taking money from the queer community. Despite the animosity and suspicion from both sides, these queer activists and union miners broke through the division and “Pride” tells their story beautifully, broadcasting a clear message of solidarity, compassion, and struggle for all working and oppressed people.
For our bibliophile readers: Stone Butch Blues is an autobiographic novel by the late Leslie Feinberg. It tells the story of Jess Goldberg, a working class lesbian who navigates through life as someone facing various intersectional oppressions. Through interactions with her fellow lesbians, a friend who recommends the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois about Black liberation, one particular union organizer, and a host of other characters, Jess comes to find her place in a hostile world and, with that discovery, formulates a voice of her own to speak out against exploitation, injustice, and hate. With a strong trigger warning concerning sexual violence, The Class Struggle Chronicle proudly recommends Leslie Feinberg’s superb, groundbreaking novel.
The editors wish to conclude by thanking all of you who have supported the newly-established Louisville Workers Brigade—online on social media, in-person for our launch on May Day, and at our first Community Social last week. Please continue to check the Brigade’s social media and website for future events and announcements. For the month of June, the Brigade has another Community Social and an exciting Educational planned! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Solidarity forever and always, Fellow Workers, and happy Pride Month!