Socialism and Queerness
Whither Queer Liberation?
“No other group has gone from such marginalization to capitalist assimilation so quickly. In just fifty years, the cops went from beating, raping, and arresting us to marching in our parade. Since its inception, the LGBTQ+ movement has been divided on the question of assimilation: Do we want to fit into the current system, or do we want to change the whole thing? Here, revolutionary socialists can make an important contribution, with a strategy to beat capitalism and to fight all forms of oppression.”
Desire, Repression, Revolution: Jean Nicolas and “The Homosexual Question”
In the 1970s, Jean Nicolas, Trotskyist militant and activist of the French Homosexual Front of Revolutionary Action, published “The Homosexual Question,” a brilliant analysis of the history of the oppression of “homosexuals” and the struggle for liberation, as connected to the struggle for socialism and new human relations.
Queer Oppression is Etched in the Heart of Capitalism
LGBTQ+ oppression is inscribed in capitalist production and reproduction. Only socialism can create the context for queer liberation and sexual liberation for all.
Pete Buttigieg and the Folly of Identity Politics
Pete Buttigieg is positioning himself as an ally of queer liberation because he is the first openly gay man to run for president. However, down the road of identity politics lies only cooptation, not liberation.
Trans Liberation
Marxism and Trans Liberation
It is impossible to achieve trans liberation, or the liberation of any oppressed sector of society within the framework of capitalism. We need a revolution to overthrow it.
When Workers Went on Strike to Defend a Trans Colleague—and Ended Up Occupying Their Factory
Should the left fight for workers’ demands? Or for the rights of trans people? Workerism or wokeism? These struggles are often presented as mutually exclusive. But a factory from Argentina shows that when workers fight for equal rights for everyone, they are fighting for their own interests.
From Brazil to the US, Fight for Trans Rights
“So many of my LGBT brothers and sisters are so scared right now. I imagine many of you are scared too. But as a revolutionary, I have to fight the immobility of fear. Bolsonaro wants us to bow our heads and hide the pride in ourselves and each other that we fought so hard for. I think of Stonewall almost 50 years later, and I know that Marsha and Sylvia must have been scared too. But like them, I know the only way forward is to fight. Its time for more marches, more organized rage. It’s time for a new generation of Sylvias and Marshas: new leaders who will make history.”
Trans Migrants: Defying Borders and Binaries
The first people in the migrant caravan to reach the US border was a group of LGBT migrants. How do we fight for the rights for trans migrants?
Trans Liberation is Only Possible If We Overthrow Capitalism
On Transgender Day of Rememberance, let us honor the Trans* lives that have been stolen by a rotten and oppressive system. The only way to ensure true liberation is to end the oppressive system of capitalism.
Abolish Cops, Abolish ICE
Trans Rights Have No Borders: Johana and Roxanna’s Lives Matter
Immigrants’ rights are an LGBTQ+ issue.
Rainbows on Their Cars But Blood On Their Hands: No Cops at Pride
The police force that locks up and harasses people of color and working class people wants to portray themselves as gay-friendly for the Pride parade.We cannot be deceived by rainbows on their cars—cops are the enemies of the vast majority of LGBT people.
Stonewall Uprising
Stonewall was a Riot
Pride month is a celebration of the Stonewall Riot in 1969. Now uprisings are breaking out all over the country. Wealthy, white gay men today might be opposed to “violence,” but the history of the LGBTQ+ movement shows that riots of oppressed people are about liberation.
Queer Struggle, Class Struggle: Reflections on Stonewall at 50
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. The riot against police violence will be commemorated with radical demonstrations, but also with “parades” including police, corporate floats and speeches by capitalist politicians. What happened? Has queerness lost its revolutionary potential?
