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| Susan spreads the word at York Pride 2018 |
At our stall you can sign petitions to show support for LGBT+ people around the world. One petition asks Russia's President Vladimir Putin to end the persecution of gay people in Chechnya. Another calls for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Northern Ireland.
The main feature of our stand this year is supporting Pride events in the Turkish cities of Istanbul and Ankara. Istanbul used to have a huge Pride event that attracted up to 100,000 people. Since 2016, the authorities have banned Pride, citing "security concerns and public order". When small gatherings have been permitted, attendees have been intimidated by police, who use water cannons and rubber bullets. It is likely that some sort of Pride event gathering will take place this Summer but it is likely to be small-scale and last-minute, at the discretion of the authorities.
At our stall we invite you to write a message of support for Istanbul Pride on a piece of ribbon and then add it to our colourful display. Afterwards we plan to send them to a contact in Istanbul to be given out to Pride attendees to wear as bracelets.
The event takes place on the Knavesmire in York on Saturday 8 June and we will be there all day.
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| Us and our stall at York Pride 2018 |
Our Next Monthly Meeting
Tom Franklin is the guest speaker at our monthly meeting this month at the usual venue - the Friends Meeting House, Friargate, York YO1 9RL. Tom will talk about work done by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade and how to get involved. The meeting takes place on Tuesday 11 June, starts at 7 p.m. with Tom's talk followed by questions and answers and then continues (from 8 p.m.) with our group's regular business. All are welcome to attend and, if they like, to leave after Tom's talk.
