Over the last five years, homophobic hate crimes in the UK have almost trebled and transphobic hate crimes quadrupled. This summer, Liverpool witnessed a string of attacks targeting LGBTQ people – one in which a victim’s leg was left fractured – and in London, a man has been arrested after a suspected homophobic murder. At a time when queer people have more rights on paper than at any other time in British history, including the right to marry, it seems as if bigots are attempting to roll the clock back further than ever.
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Night Pride is determined not the let that happen. On Saturday, around 150 people marched up Kingsland Road in Dalston, London to protest the rise in violence against the LGBTQ community. Passing drivers beeped their car horns as marchers waved signs that read “Queers won’t be quiet” and “The night belongs to lovers”. The London event was one of two demonstrations happening in the UK, with a sister event taking place on the same weekend. Organisers described the protests as “not a demand for equality”, “not a demand for better policing” and “not a demand for mere tolerance and acceptance. We are revolting, and we will have true liberation!” VICE photographer Bex Wade spoke to some attendees to find out about what the march means to them.
Naya Thorn, 19, drag queen
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Stacy Martin, 33, partnership manager for UK Black Pride
Ian Johns, 64, Gay Liberation Front activist and vintage store owner
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Craig Mantanona, 39, PhD graduate
Auntie Maureen, 53, DJ
Mia Kelly, 29, teaching assistant
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