Pride is meant to be a celebration of Queer identity and perseverance. In light of recent homophobic and transphobic incidents, Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin is putting out a call to promote Dublin Pride as an anti-fascist protest against hatred and bigotry.

Across social media, they invited people to join them outside the Unite the Union building on Abbey Street at 11:30AM on Saturday, June 24th - the day of Dublin's pride parade. It's an invitation to march with them in solidarity and in protest of a recent rise of anti-LGBTQ+ related sentiment.

The threat begins with the caption "MAKE PRIDE A PROTEST! MAKE PRIDE ANTIFASCIST!"

"The last year has seen an exponential growth of the far right and queerphobia. From LGBTQIA+ literature in libraries being destroyed, a 14 year old boy in Navan being attacked for being gay, a rise in transphobia from the media and government, we can't afford to stay silent."

The last year has seen an exponential growth of the far right and queerphobia. From LGBTQIA+ literature in libraries being destroyed, a 14 year old boy in Navan being attacked for being gay, a rise in transphobia from the media and government, we can’t afford to stay silent.

— Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 (@DubTrans) June 19, 2023

It's a topic Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin has spoken out about before. Back in April, Trans & Intersex Pride called for allies to "build a mass movement towards trans liberation" for their fourth annual pride march event on July 8th. Arranged with the hope that it will be the biggest Irish LGBTQ+ march yet, Trans & Intersex Pride want to use it to fight back against right-wing backlash and highlight the lacking quality of transgender health in the EU.

The decision to focus upon trans rights and the process of gender-affirming care came after the previously mentioned report from ILGA Europe detailing violence against LGBTQ+ people was on the rise and a report that Ireland was ranked the lowest in the EU in terms of trans healthcare this past November.

While there have been steps taken to improve the situation, like the HSE's proposed plan to update gender-affirming healthcare, future amends to the system have highlighted current failings. For the trans community, both gender-affirming health services and mental health services have been greatly lacking, in Ireland and abroad - something Trans and Intersex Dublin hopes to address.

"There is absolutely no place for fascism on this island or anywhere else," Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin continued in their call for support this Saturday. "And wherever a fascist threat rears its ugly head we must come out in mass numbers to oppose and defeat it!"

"Antifascism must be a key part of Pride this year and we need a massive mobilisation to counter the far right and the government whose failed neoliberal policies have allowed them to grow as much as they have."

Antifascism must be a key part of Pride this year and we need a massive mobilisation to counter the far right and the government whose failed neoliberal policies have allowed them to grow as much as they have.

— Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 (@DubTrans) June 19, 2023

Declarations like "No corporations, no pinkwashing and no government parties!" and the desire to return Pride "back to the radical roots of protest" also echo their previously revealed sentiment that Pride should remain led by activist groups and corporation participation should be limited.

The latter point refers to how companies' support often appears performative and ingenuine as it is only touched upon during Pride month and does little to support LGBTQ+ people throughout the rest of the year.

However, that doesn't mean Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin does not welcome support. Allies and queer people of all identities alike are welcome in both upcoming marches. So, as Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin invites, "MARCH WITH US AT DUBLIN PRIDE THIS SATURDAY!"