Mayhem in Manchester: When LGB just ain’t enough
By Michael T
This post was written by guest author Collin Wynter. Check out Collin’s work on Twitter, Substack, YouTube, Odysee and Rumble. Genspect — and the parents we represent — would like to thank Collin for taking the time to share this important story.
During the Manchester Pride Protest on August 28, Alex Bramham, a gay man, was verbally harassed, had his hat stolen and was escorted by police out of the vicinity. Bramham was wearing an LGB Alliance shirt, an organization he is associated with. Some people feel it is a trans hate group because it excludes the T in its label.
In two separate interviews and on his Twitter feed, Bramham explicitly states that the LGB Alliance is not an anti-trans organization.
“There’s no evidence we’re a hate group. I hold no hate towards trans persons, or against anyone with a protected characteristic under the Equality Act,” he told Spiked. His intent was to highlight LGB issues. The organization does not “comment on trans issues.” The LGB Alliance’s vision is “[l]esbians, gay men and bisexuals living free from discrimination or disadvantage based on their sexual orientation.”
Tensions did escalate near the end of the event. As Bramham recalls, he “was approached by a young man who was extremely threatening, loud, invading my personal space, rude and shouting abuse.” Bramham is clear that he was not removed from the protest. He remained calm and requested police assistance. They were amiable and did not appear to take sides.
However, others took a different perspective, denouncing Bramham as a ‘TERF’ and celebrating the episode. TERF is an acronym for trans exclusionary radical feminists. It is used as a slur against people who are critical of gender identity and queer theory. It is used against females and males — including those who expressly do not describe themselves as feminists.
Other protestors applauded the removal of Bramham from the event. Guardian columnist, Owen Jones, tweeted: “Media outlets note: the ‘LGB Alliance’ does not represent lesbian, gay or bisexual people in any shape or form.”
LGB Alliance responded that the organization “defends the rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals whose rights in law are based on sexual orientation not gender identity” and that it was “ludicrous” for a gay man to be heckled out of a Pride protest. They believe the Pride movement has become dominated by “gender identity extremism” and they “strongly reject this mindset.”
Lesbian and Gay News legal commentator, Dennis Noel Kavanagh, expressed disdain for the actions at the protest. “We’re not having straight “queers” intimidate us. Welcome to gay rights 2.0. We’ve come prepared with life experience,” he wrote on twitter. He also applauded Bramham’s “bravery and courage”. Transsexual Debbie Hayton also commented that she is “appalled.”
Apparently, LGB organizations must include the T — yet plenty of organizations speak about trans rights but make little or no mention of sexuality. Hopefully, the Manchester mayhem will make this imbalance even more apparent.