By Ann-Katrin Orr, Socialist Party Ireland. 22 May 2025
On Saturday, 17 May, Belfast was filled with a 3,000–strong March for Trans Rights. It was initiated by ROSA, the Socialist Feminist movement and backed by various organisations across the LGBTQIA+ sector, trade unions and political organisations, including the Socialist Party. The march took place in response to the recent brutal attacks on trans rights.
The mood was angry, determined and filled with deep solidarity. The main banner held at the beginning of the march was a Pride Progress Flag with the words “No Going Back!” – which summed up the sentiment that there is no acceptance of the attempts by the political establishment in Stormont and Westminster, by the courts or the far right across the UK or internationally to drag us back when it comes to our rights. “Go Piss Girl”, “Fight the real enemy” and “Support all sisters not just cis-ters” were some of the slogans on hand-drawn placards that accompanied colourful banners and pride flags as the march made its way from Writers’ Square to City Hall.
Referencing the Stormont ban on puberty blockers as well as how some MLA’s including Executive Members have welcomed the UK Supreme Court Ruling, with Paul Given, the DUP’s Education Minister, for example stating he would be amending guidelines for schools in to be in line with the judgment the crowd chanted: “Stormont you’ve picked your side – We don’t want you at our Pride” and “We know you can – lift the ban”. Other chants were against homophobia, racism and misogyny.
The slogan of no going back was a reference to the examples in the North of people standing united in the face of division as it was adopted by trade union and socialist activists in the past to stand against pressure and influence of paramilitaries and sectarian forces intent on dragging society back towards open sectarian conflict. At its core this slogan is about the ability of ordinary people to stand together in solidarity and struggle and Saturday’s demonstration was a clear example of that.
A counter-protest also took place at City Hall with 150 – 200 people. The call for this came also from figures connected to the far-right, leading to United Against Racism mobilising also in a protest which was also supported by the Socialist Party, ROSA and many other organisations. That the far-right mobilised in opposition to trans rights, shows again the importance of a struggle now for trans rights and why all who seek to challenge the far-right and racism must take an active role in fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights also.
Speakers included ROSA activists and spokespeople from Mermaids NI, Trans Pride NI, The Rainbow Project and a speaker from Unite the Union’s Irish Regional LGBT+ Committee who pointed out that the trade union movement is not a bystander but a vital line of defence and force for progress.
ROSA organiser and Socialist Party Keighley spoke about the urgent need to organise a socialist feminist struggle and quoted the trailblazing socialist revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg words – “those who do not move do not notice their chains” before concluding with this powerful call to action:
“Because when we move on the streets, when we move in our workplaces, when we move in our communities; when we move together, in solidarity with one another against our oppressors and against this system of profit and greed and violence then we will finally break free of our chains. The fight for trans liberation, and the fight for the liberation of all, is a Socialist Feminist fight! And this fight needs you! Because we are not going back!”