PCS Proud Statement on the Berlin Pride Attack
PCS Proud is deeply saddened to hear about the atrocious attack that happened on Saturday during the Berlin Christopher Street Day Pride event. Our thoughts are with the victims of the attack, their families, and the LGBT+ community in Berlin and in wider Europe.
This was a heinous attack that proves the necessity of Pride. Now more than ever, we need to rise above these acts of violence and fight against the continued rollback of LGBT+ freedoms and hard won protections in law. Hate and extremism have no place in our society.
The rise of the far-right has emboldened this extremism and allowed it to fester, leading to another needless attack against our marginalised community. Politicians who pander towards the right and show weakness in the face of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia are responsible for the rise in these attacks.
As a trade union, it is vital that we call this out and that we are at the forefront of the fight for the LGBT+ community’s liberation within our society.
We are already seeing this attack being used by the right to tar another marginalised community with the same brush; PCS Proud condemns this and knows that the action of one terrorist identified as part of the Islamic community does not speak for their whole community. We stand in solidarity with Muslims against the rampant racism they are experiencing throughout the UK and Europe.
The LGBT+ community has always existed, we have survived time and time again, and we will continue to do so. Our community is built on love, acceptance, and hope. None of these can ever be extinguished, no matter how strong the hate or how great the wealth of those against us may be.
Help is available
If any members feel like they need support, please feel free to reach out to us at proud@pcs.org.uk. Look after yourselves and know that you are not alone.
Other organisations that can offer LGBT+ focused support:
Switchboard
0800 011 9100 or hello@switchboard.lgbt
LGBT Foundation
0345 330 3030
