ORGANISERS OF Euro-Pride 1992 proclaim that the event will be a celebration of European lesbian and gay identity, within the tion.
It is based on the mistaken beller that the measures coming into force ment in the legal position of lesbians and gay men in Britain.
The racism implicit in most concepts of 'European identty' was demonstrated by the logo initially adopted -two, joined, white hands.
marks the demoralisation and depoliticisation of much of the British lesbian and gay community today. It tiges of Pride's accountabilty wore swept away earier this year, with the announcement that it was to become a limited company.
This completed the gradual trans formation from an activist-led event to one cominated by pay cusiness.
Illusion
The illusion that a project aimed to unite markets and increase profits will eao to Cute or Wants stye moves towards lesbian and gay equaity, is bom out of the defeats of the Thatcher years.
But history shows that real changes have come from the activism and set-organisation of the lesbian and gay movement - not the gocowil of anonymous bureaucrats.
Lachlans and day men need to fight racism in their communities, and suid allances with black people Fight. ing back. This means not bolstering concepts of an exclusive, white Euroress Europe, closed to migrants and asylum seekers, that les behind it.
A range of lesbian and gay organi sations have protested against EuroThe logo has been changed, and there is soreement for a black soace at the event. But the underlying issues of the poitical and organisational direction of Pride remain. No. 18 March 21, 1992
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