EQUALITY NOW MARCH

LGB society join demo IT was a cold, slightly damp Tuesday morning in November when Sunderland Students' Union LGB Society arrived in Manchester.

The day's events were anticipated with an air of caution and excitement, as no-one had been on a demonstration before. The procession began at All Saints Park where about 200 banner waving students had turned up for the first ever 'Equality Now!' demonstration, organised by the NUS LGB campaign.

The 'Equality Now!' campaign aims to tackle a number of issues that affects LGB students and community. Issues that range from ending the gross indecency and injustice faced by the LGB community, to ending hate crime like the SoHo, Brixton and Brick Lane bombings. Other aims are to tackle the issue of employment rights, as discrimination and dismissals remain a problem. The campaign supports the 'Grants not Fees' campaign, and specifically looks at the situation for students who have been abandoned by their parents, after 'coming out', leaving them in financial difficulties. Other subjects like Section 28, partnership rights and parenting rights are also covered.

As the procession moved through the streets of Manchester, full of unexpecting Christmas shoppers, the impact on the public was obvious. Heads were turning everywhere, people stopped to listen to the chanting, there were even people hanging out of office windows to see the commotion. It wasn't surprising given the chants of "We're Here, we're queer, we won't live in fear", "2, 4, 6, 8 scrap section 28, 3, 5, 7, 9, put an end to hate crime", and favourites like, "2, 4, 6, 8, is that copper really straight? 3, 5, 7, 9, if he's not he could be mine."

The demonstration ended at Sackville Park (opposite the famous Canal Street) where the procession was addressed by a number of speakers who all delivered very emotive and rousing speeches, addressing the various issues of the day.

After that, with everyone on such a high, the majority of the procession finished the fantastic day with a social in Spirit, a very trendy bar on Canal Street. There many drank, talked about the day's events and what it meant, but most of all if built friendships around the country that will last an age.

Two months on, the campaign is still going strong and is ongoing. The next high profile event will lobby Parliament on 13th February.

If you want more information don't hesitate to contact
LGB Officer Paul Russell. su.lgb-officer@sunderland.ac.uk