[Marxism] Queers Launch Boycott of Jerusalem Gay Pride Celebration

[Macdonald Stainsby <mstainsby@xxxxxxxxx>]

Controversial Gay March Draws Fire From Other Gays

US Gays Launch Boycott of Jerusalem Gay Pride Celebration

Opposition to a controversial gay pride march is emerging from an unlikely
source- other gays. The march is slated to take place in Jerusalem and is
being organized with the theme “love without borders.� Critics
of the event say until Israel’s borders are open to the Palestinians
whose ancestral home is Jerusalem, there is no pride in occupation....MORE
at http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/05/1736059.php

The boycott of World Pride in Jerusalem, kicked off by QUIT! and other LGBTI
groups in the U.S. is gaining momentum, even as the SF Board of Stupervisors
passed a resolution yesterday supporting it.

QUIT! has produced a 15-minute video to counter the one produced last summer
by bluestarPR promoting World Pride.  QUIT!'s "Love Without Borders?" piece
presents the true image of Jerusalem, a city divided by a 25-foot concrete
wall, which has caused death and destruction in Palestinian communities for
the last two years.  Windows and QuickTime trailers of the video are
available at http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/05/1736059.php .  The full
video is available from the QUIT! website at www.quitpalestine.org in either
Windows or RealMedia.

Please help us get more groups and individuals on board with the boycott
campaign, as we enter "pride" season, by posting this email to any lists you
are part of which support the cause of true liberation for everyone, queer
and straight.



For Immediate Release From Queers for Palestine (QUIT)

Contact:  Kate Raphael-Bender, 510-381-1287
               Mindy Spatt, 415-359-3856

SF Pols Draw Criticism for Support of Gay March in Israel

US Gays Launch Boycott of Jerusalem Gay Pride Celebration

May 5, 2005, San Francisco—A vote by the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors to support a Gay Pride celebration in Jerusalem, Israel, has
sparked criticism from gay groups that oppose Israel’s policies in the
Palestinian territories. They have announced a boycott of the celebration,
slated to take place in the contested city of Jerusalem on August 18-20,
saying Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians make a mockery of the
theme of the event, “love without borders.�

“If the Board of Supervisors took a closer look at Israeli democracy, what
they would see it borders without limit,� charged Kate Raphael-Bender of
San Francisco-based QUIT, a lesbian/ gay/bi/trans group that supports return
of the territories occupied by Israel to Palestinian control.  “No city in
the world could have more borders than Jerusalem� she added.
Raphael-Bender said those borders are constantly encroaching further and
further into Palestinian territory, and are enforced by military checkpoints
and cement walls. “Israel’s borders are impenetrable to Palestinians,
and keep many separated from their homes, jobs and families� she added.
Raphael-Bender noted that gay Arabs are likely to hit a wall if they try to
join the festivities in Jerusalem.  Not only Palestinians but all Arabs are
routinely denied entry into Israel.

QUIT urges gays and lesbians to observe ongoing international boycotts of
travel to Israel and Israeli products through which the international
community can exert pressure on Israel to withdraw its forces from
Palestine.  “For internationals to stay away from this event will send a
very clear message to the Israeli government,� Raphael-Bender said, noting
that the situation was different for gays in Israel.  Both QUIT’s
counterpart in Israel, Black Laundry, and the Palestinian lesbian group
Aswat will participate in the event but plan to use it to draw attention to
the injustices Palestinians are subject to under the brutal Israeli occupation.

Early supporters of the boycott include: American Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee, San Francisco Chapter (ADC-SF) Jews for a Free Palestine LAGAI --
Queer Insurrection Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) Queers for Peace
and Justice International Socialist Organization
--

Macdonald Stainsby
http://independentmedia.ca/survivingcanada
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
        --Bertholt Brecht.

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