‘We are only liberated when all of us are liberated’, says this student. ‘Free Palestine, say no to pinkwashing.’‘We are only liberated when all of us are liberated’, says this student. ‘Free Palestine, say no to pinkwashing.’

Roan is a member of the Groningen International Socialists. ‘As a Marxist, I know that real change can only come from an organised grassroots movement. This is why Queer Pride Groningen is so important. Queer rights cannot be won through partying and rainbow capitalism alone, it has to be won through political organising.’

In addition to the march through the city centre, there was an information market on the Grote Markt with speeches and performances.

‘We are here in Groningen to stand up for our rights around the world and we want more people to do the same’, said a student attending the protest (not pictured). ‘It’s “live, laugh, love”, not “hide to live, fake a smile, and cry in fear because of who you are”.’

‘True liberation needs to be won by the people, for the people’, says Roan. ‘It will never be handed down to us by a capitalist government, and any reforms we win through electoral politics can be undone by the next administration.’