Why Pride Matters to Caroline Lucas MP

Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion explains why Pride is important to her.

“One of the best things about being MP for Brighton Pavilion is representing one of the most politically active, committed and determined, LGBTI communities in the world. I never feel that more strongly than when I’m at Pride.

“We stood up for equal marriage rights, and we won, and I’m incredibly proud of the work everyone did that made it happen. Pride Matters because we should celebrate that kind of progress, and never forget how far we’ve come.

“But Pride is also about understanding how far we’ve got to go – there are still huge battles to be fought.

“Pride is about letting the gay teenager know that the abuse he faces isn¹t ok. It¹s about taking a stand against transphobia in the media.

“It’s about fighting the unfairness of trans people being forced to annul their marriages.

“It’s about tackling the stgima that surrounds HIV. It’s about standing up against homophobia in football grounds.

“It’s about fighting deeply oppressive laws overseas and giving asylum to people fleeing them.

“Pride is about coming together to tell the world that we’re never going to give up until we’ve won all those fights.”