Big gay vote urged to block the election of BNP candidates.
London – UK – 1 June 2004
Lesbian and gay men are being urged to vote in large numbers on 10 June to help stop the racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic British National Party (BNP) gaining seats in the local, European and London elections. The far right party currently has only a handful of local councillors.
The call for a large turnout by gay voters to “Stop the BNP” comes from queer rights group OutRage!
The BNP has fought previous general elections on a pledge to outlaw homosexuality. It describes Aids as “nature taking revenge” on gay men.
Soon after the neo-Nazi bombing of a gay bar in London in 1999, which killed three people and maimed dozens more, BNP leader Nick Griffin seemed to excuse and endorse the homophobic hatred that inspired the terrorist atrocity. He attacked lesbian and gay people for “flaunting their perversion” and said this showed by “so many ordinary people find these creatures so repulsive”.
Source: Stranger things have happened, Nick Griffin, Spearhead (BNP magazine), June 1999.
“Recent polls indicate the BNP could make an electoral breakthrough”, said Peter Tatchell of OutRage! “Under the PR system for the European and London elections even minor parties like the BNP can win seats.
“The BNP could significantly increase its number of local councillors, particularly in the north west of England. It may, for the first time, secure representation in the European Parliament and the London Assembly”.
“The BNP aims to copy the success of other European far right and neo-Nazi parties, such as the Front National in France, the Vlaams Blok in Belgium and the National Democratic Party in Germany”.
“The BNP is a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic party. It is threatening to jail queers and bring back Section 28”.
“There is a huge danger the BNP will make an electoral breakthrough in the north west and London”.
“Lesbians and gay men can help stop the BNP by making sure they, and their straight friends, vote in the local, European and London elections”.
“A high turnout will reduce the BNP’s share of the vote and lessen its chances of winning seats”.
“The homophobic leader of the BNP, Nick Griffin, is standing as a European Parliament candidate in the north west of England. Under the PR system, he has a good chance of being elected, unless there is strong support for other parties”, said Mr Tatchell.
According to Griffin, homosexuality is “form of behavioural deviancy” and “not a valid lifestyle choice”. He claims the BNP speaks for “the majority of the population” who, he says, believe “homosexuality is wrong” and that it “needs to be pushed humanely but firmly back into the closet”. Griffin warns that if gays continue to “press their aims further” there will be an “almighty backlash” which will result in the imprisonment of all homosexuals.
Source: Putting the record straight, Nick Griffin, Identity (BNP Magazine), December 2003.