There's more than one way to be gay

A GAY CROWD?

adjective (dated) light-hearted and carefree (dated) brightly coloured; showy

The dictionary says dated, but after yesterday I'm not so sure.  Of course the more familiar modern usage of the word is

(of a person, especially a man) homosexual

and that certainly applied at the event I’m discussing here.  But if I take with me anything from the assembly I joined, then light hearted and carefree would be right up there.

This was essentially a political demonstration, an act of solidarity and protest, an opportunity to stand up for human rights. It took place outside the Russian Consulate in Melville Street, Edinburgh, and like many other related events and articles around the world, was organised in response to the current, vicious crackdown on LGBT rights by the Russian government of Vladimir Putin.

Anyone who's read my recent blog entries will be aware that for much of the last three weeks I have given myself up wholeheartedly to the pursuit of pleasure at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Light hearted and carefree indeed.  As the end approaches on the coming bank holiday Monday I will have been to over fifty shows, events, gigs, whatever. So I haven't had a lot of time to follow news coverage.  But even living in this hedonistic bubble it's been impossible not to take heed of the regressively aggressive behaviour emanating from Moscow.  It makes even the disgusting Section 28 practices of the Thatcher era look mild by comparison.

Not that the battle in the UK can be regarded as over.  Blair might have repealed that evil legislation, but under the current Tories it appears to be making an appearance from under the carpet where it had been swept away.  Read this item from The Independent if you want to see what I mean.  No surprise there when you see the attacks being made on other groups in society.  Cameron's gay marriage legislation is the verdant tree line concealing the bitter swamp of Conservative homophobia, much as I'd already suspected.

So any fight for gay rights is part of an ongoing worldwide conflict.  If we stand by and ignore what takes place in Russia it may be taken as a sign that similar behaviour will receive passive assent in our own society.  Not only are increasingly repressive laws being implemented (see this piece from the Los Angeles Times for a flavour of what is taking place), but the rule of law itself is being assaulted. Russian police turn their backs whilst right wing thugs hand out beatings to gay activists.

Fronted by the wonderful comedian and activist Mark Thomas, yesterday's protest brought together around three hundred people to voice their opposition to what the Putin regime is doing/allowing, primarily through the medium of laughter.  Mr Thomas had assembled a cracking line-up of his fellow comics, including high profile names like Zoe Lyons and Stephen K Amos.  We laughed, we cheered, we mocked a man who strips to the waist, wrestles a bear and then acts like he hates gays....

It was certainly a disparate crowd, and the first time I've been able to tell my wife she can find me under the pirate flag being waved by the transvestite nuns.  I don't think that's a line I'll get to use too often (and this has now become her favourite ever text message).   There were, for obvious reasons, a high percentage of LGBT people making up the numbers, but there were plenty of us straights there too.  Gay Pride was mentioned, but what struck me most about this crowd was how much it also reflected those dated definitions I started this piece with.  Despite the very serious motives behind the gathering, and the genuine and rightful anger being expressed, this was one of the most carefree throngs I've ever been a part of.  Everyone smiled at everyone else, just happy to see the numbers who'd turned up to offer their support, whatever their motivation in doing so (and I'd confess that getting a chance to hear some great comedians for free was a strong incentive - I am Scottish after all).

Forget the Gay Pride tag - this was Human Pride (totally different to Mother's Pride, now that really is disgusting....). A recognition of the diversity of humanity and the importance of each individual being treated and valued equally and fairly. It might not have been seen to achieve much  in concrete political terms, although it really is the case that 'every little helps', but it was both one more small brick in a vast Lego puzzle and a very human marker of hope.  I doubt that one single person there today (and, judging from their expressions, that may well include many of the police who were there to make the event safe) will forget the message that they were a part of.  This is one event of Fringe 2013 that will stay with me for a long long time.