Northern Ireland is still the only place in the UK where same-sex marriage is illegal, despite the fact that 68% of the Northern Irish public have expressed support for marriage equality, and despite the fact that more than 50% of Northern Irish MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) have voted for it. Homophobic political interests are blocking the will of the public, they are blocking progress towards equal rights for all, and we must do everything we can to enact support and solidarity with the Northern Irish LGBT+ community, because no one is free until we are all free.

As long as Northern Ireland prohibits equal marriage, the UK does not have equal marriage. This is no coincidence: our government has a consistent track record of failing LGBT+ people, from the legalised, dehumanising treatment of trans people by the medical profession and the mainstream media; to the deportation of LGBT+ asylum seekers, forced to return to countries where they face persecution, violence and even death; to austerity measures forcing LGBT+ youth onto the streets, and so much more. The indignity faced by our LGBT+ siblings in Northern Ireland is part of a wider picture: that of a system that is deeply, institutionally homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic. This Pride month, we reject empty claims from the government and from businesses donning rainbow flags, claiming that they care for LGBT+ people, while enacting violence upon us every day.

This June, the University of Manchester Students’ Union encourages you to donate to the Love Equality Coalition, to share this fundraiser, and to spread the word! For more info on other ways you can get involved with the campaign, visit www.loveequalityni.org or email me at sara.khan@manchester.ac.uk.