Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

LGBTQ

By staff

A marching group of protesters holding signs, flags and banners.

Grand Rapids, MI – While the Grand Rapids Pride committee was pausing festivities for the afternoon due to nearly triple-digit temperatures on Sunday, June 22, over 100 community members marched with cold compresses and face misting water bottles through the Festival to nearby Rosa Parks Circle, demanding “No war with Iran.”

Read more...

By staff

A march of protesters holding signs, flags, and a banner

New Orleans, LA – On the evening of June 14, around 30 community members and organizers gathered outside of Louis Armstrong Park to protest Shell Oil’s Pride sponsorship and march ahead of the New Orleans Pride parade.

“If Shell gets to roll through our streets with a police escort, then we are going to march. You don’t get to attack us and expect us to play nice,” said Molly Frayle from the Queer and Trans Community Action Project (QTCAP).

Read more...

By Justin Jordan

Attendees pose for a photo at the end of Pride event.

Tallahassee, FL- Tallahassee SDS hosted its annual pride talent show at The Bark on June 12. Members of the community were encouraged to share their talents in celebration of Tallahassee’s diverse queer community.

Queer community members came together to show solidarity in a state where the LGBTQ community has been increasingly under attack by the state government’s Republican supermajority. Several bills have been passed and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, including bans on gender-affirming care, removals of classes deemed “woke” due to the inclusion of LGBTQ history, and restrictions on the discussion of LGBTQ identities in the classrooms.

Read more...

By LGBTQ & Women's Movement Work Team of FRSO

Pride month this year starts with Trump attacking the LGBTQ community every chance he gets. No matter how desperate and unbearable the attacks from reactionaries become, we must remember that our resistance and history is greater than anything the Trump Administration or any other enemy can throw at us. Pride month is a reminder of our courageous history, of our struggle to win our democratic rights.

Read more...

By Quest Riggs

Protesters towards the front of Northshore Pride.

Mandeville, LA – On Saturday, June 7, over 1000 protestors gathered in Mandeville to celebrate the second annual Northshore Pride. The streets were closed along the Mandeville Lakefront for the determined protesters to march carrying signs and flags in 100-degree temperatures. Supportive crowds from diverse Northshore communities lined the route, creating a buffer between the marchers and small groups of Christian-fundamentalist counter-protesters.

Read more...

By Izzy McCabe

Police clash with protesters in Seattle.

Seattle, WA – On Saturday, May 24, Seattle’s LGBTQ community and their allies protested an anti-queer, Christian evangelist rally at the Capitol Hill neighborhood’s Cal Anderson Park. They protested the rally that was called by the group Mayday USA, which aims to classify transgender people as mentally ill and to legally define life as starting at conception.

Although the Seattle community outnumbered the reactionaries, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) wasted no time in acting as the reactionaries’ personal armed guard.

Read more...

By staff

May Day march in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Appleton, WI – Hundreds of workers, queer activists and community members flooded Houdini Plaza in Appleton, Wisconsin, on May 1, International Workers Day, kicking off a march that would face police repression before triumphantly returning to cheers of public support.

Read more...

By staff

Tallahassee students hold fundraiser for those impacted by mass shooting at FSU.

Tallahassee, FL – On Saturday, April 19, Students for a Democratic Society held their Queer Rave fundraiser at The Bark. The event had been in the works for a couple of months, but after the mass shooting at Florida State University on April 17, SDS members were unsure of how to move forward. On that tragic Thursday, two non-students – Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba – were killed and six others were wounded by the shooter.

Read more...

By Freedom Road Socialist Organization

The April 5 demonstrations across the country saw hundreds of thousands taking to the streets. Countless others were inspired by the numbers of people willing to take a stand right now against the Trump administration. At these marches were everyday people from all walks of life; workers, students, activists and families were raising their voices to demand change. There will be more of these kinds of actions ahead. They are a test for us. Will we step up to unite all who can be united against Trump and the billionaire class he serves? If we sit this one out, we lose by forfeit.

Read more...

By Anthony Franklin

Protesters picket outside Loyola Law School against a visit from conservative Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

New Orleans, LA – On April 7, over 20 students and faculty members showed up to protest Amy Coney Barrett’s talk at Loyola Law School. Barrett is a Supreme Court Justice appointed by Donald Trump in 2020. She is one of the most conservative justices, who pushed forward the overturn of Roe v Wade in 2022.

Read more...

By Marcus Polzer

A group of youth sit and listen to a speaker during a fundraising event in a bar.

Orlando, FL – On March 31, University of Central Florida (UCF) Students for a Democratic Society, Young Poet Society, and Young Democratic-Socialists of America came together to hold an open mic and fundraiser for Trans Day of Visibility, with all proceeds going towards Central Florida Mutual Aid’s Trans Safety Fund.

The goal of this event was to platform trans and queer voices on campus amid attacks on LGBTQ rights, including the recent unanimous decision by the UCF board of trustees to make it a conduct charge to use a bathroom that does not correspond with one’s “sex assigned at birth.”

Read more...

By staff

A massive crowd fills Lafayette Square Park in New Orleans to protest Trump’s attacks.

New Orleans, LA – On the afternoon of April 5, over 1000 New Orleanians gathered in Lafayette Square Park downtown. They were gathered as part of a national day of action to demand end the attacks on immigrants, on freedom of speech, students, union rights, LGBTQ folks and many other segments of the people.

Read more...

By staff

A group of people protest on a street corner, holding a banner and trans pride flags.

Denver, CO – On March 31, over 150 Community members gathered in front of UC Anschutz Medical Campus, to demand expansion and protection of gender affirming care. Recent cuts to trans healthcare in Colorado have put many trans patients unsure of receiving life saving, life affirming healthcare.

Along with these demands protesters demanded that UC Anshutz cease its union busting tactics and forgive medical debt, after the launch of a cruel harassment campaign to demand payment from patients who cannot afford their treatments.

Speakers passionately addressed the injustice they face daily in a system that regularly denies them respect and dignity.

Kat Draken of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “We need to be telling people who the enemy is! It’s not trans people, it’s not immigrants, it’s the ruling class!”

This rally comes after over 800 anti-trans bills have been filed across the United States, including a recently filed bill in Texas that would make identifying as transgender a felony. As the enemy ramps up its attacks on queer and other people across the country, many have chosen to stand up and fight back!

#DenverCO #CO #LGBTQ #TransDayofVisibility

By Morgan Gald

A group of people visit tables at a large indoor event.

Neenah, WI – On Sunday March 30, Hate Free Outagamie hosted an event celebrating Trans Day of Visibility. Nearly 200 community members of all ages gathered at a local park shelter to celebrate the struggles of the trans community. Attendees created art and photos, listened to speeches and workshops, and networked with other community organizations.

In their opening speech, Green Bay Anti War co-chair Lana Ksionek spoke about the importance of calling upon the strength of our trans elders such as Sylvia Rivera, and to take inspiration from them in our fight for trans liberation today.

Read more...

By Gabbi Pierce

Protestors line Hennepin Avenue with signs and flags supporting trans rights.

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, March 28, 200 protesters gathered outside of Walker Library to rally against escalating attacks targeting the trans community.

Protesters demanded an end to the compliance with Trump’s transphobic executive orders and policies, and an end to the barriers to HRT access in the state, for Minneapolis to become a sanctuary city for trans people, and for Minneapolis Public Schools to expand protections for trans youth. Protesters also demanded justice for Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota killed in a racist and transphobic hate crime.

Read more...

Por el Equipo de Trabajo del Movimiento LGBTQ y de las Mujeres de la OSCL

La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad se solidariza con todas las personas trans en su lucha por justicia y liberación en el Día de la Visibilidad Trans. Históricamente, las personas trans han enfrentado opresión sistemática en todos los sectores de la sociedad, y hacer una transición pública casi siempre significaba perder tu comunidad, tu empleo, y posiblemente hasta tu vida.

La administración de Trump quiere traer de regreso esos días a los Estados Unidos. La administración ha declarado que las personas trans no existen y que los Estados Unidos solo reconocerá dos sexos. No ha habido ninguna lucha coordinada contra esta orden ejecutiva ni contra otros ataques a la población trans por parte de políticos demócratas. Algunos incluso aplauden o apoyan en silencio estos ataques.

Los ataques de Trump a la financiación escolar buscan eliminar los programas de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión (DEI), haciendo más probable que no se recopilen datos sobre estudiantes y trabajadores trans. Después de sensacionalizar a las atletas trans, él quiere eliminarlas de los deportes. Usando este chivo expiatorio, el presiona para lograr una eliminación total en la educación y más allá.

Los reaccionarios que quieren remover a las personas trans de la vida pública y arrebatarles cada victoria de derechos civiles que gente LGBTQ ha ganado solo pueden ser derrotados de una manera. Debemos construir un movimiento de masas donde liderazgo trans desafíe visible y audazmente a la clase dominante. Y debemos unirnos con todos los pueblos oprimidos para crear una lucha política que todo el poder económico, militar y político de los Estados Unidos no pueda igualar.

En todo el país, miembros de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad han encabezado la lucha por la liberación LGBTQ y de las mujeres al oponerse en contra de proyectos de ley anti-LGBTQ, organizando eventos para el Día Internacional de las Mujeres, y construyendo organizaciones LGBTQ donde sea posible.

OSCL está involucrado en luchas contra los centros de crisis de embarazo que intentan manipular y engañar a las mujeres embarazadas, se ha organizado para recuperar el orgullo LGBT de corporaciones y la policía, y se ha movilizado para proteger a jóvenes LGBTQ. El Día de la Visibilidad Trans no puede ser donde termina nuestra organización por la lucha trans y LGBTQ en particular. Cada vez que la represión y la reacción derechista ataque a pueblos oprimidos, es el deber de los verdaderos revolucionarios oponerse dondequiera que lo vean. Nuestro trabajo debe unir la lucha por la liberación trans con todos los movimientos que actualmente luchan por liberarse de la explotación, para que podamos acabar con el dominio de los capitalistas monopolistas y crear un sistema socialista donde el poder pertenezca a los oprimidos, no a los explotadores.

#LGBTQ #Trans #TransDayOfVisibility #FRSO #OSCL #Statement

By LGBTQ & Women's Movement Work Team of FRSO

The Freedom Road Socialist Organization stands in solidarity with all trans people seeking justice and liberation on Transgender Day of Visibility. Historically, transgender people have been systematically oppressed in all sectors of society, and publicly transitioning would almost certainly mean the loss of your community, your employment, and possibly even your life.

Read more...

By Josh Rudd

Dallas queer and trans liberation march

Dallas, TX – Over 300 community members marched through the Dallas Oak Lawn “gayborhood,” Sunday, March 23 to protest the spread of anti-LGBTQ bills and laws sweeping the country. Attendees gathered at the Cathedral of Hope in Oak Lawn for speeches calling attention to the diverse needs of the queer and trans community in this political moment. The rally, called by Texas Latino Pride, spoke to the heightened attacks faced by trans women, disabled, Black, and brown queer and trans folks.

Read more...

By staff

Protesters carry signs with slogans like “The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power”

Colorado Springs, CO – On March 8, International Women's Day, the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) organized a demonstration at the Pioneer's Museum to protest Trump's reactionary agenda that attacks women and LGBTQ people and their rights. About 300 people gathered, many chanted, “Women are unstoppable, a better world is possible!”

Read more...

By staff

Organizers with the Queer and Trans Community Action Project lead the march onto the streets in downtown New Orleans.

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, March 8, about 70 people gathered in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans in honor of this year’s International Women’s Day.

The crowd rallied around a banner demanding “Protect women’s and trans rights! From Palestine to Mexico, end all family separations!” Several speakers from grassroots movements discussed the urgency of gender liberation and the need to carry on the legacy of resistance from the revolutionary women of the past.

Read more...