A $1,000,000 Wake-Up Call to “Queers for Palestine”
This isn’t a joke. It’s not a publicity stunt. Our offer is real.
The New Tolerance Campaign has secured $1,000,000 to underwrite expenses for an LGBTQ Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank!
For nearly a year, “Queers for Palestine” and allied groups have insisted that Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are “inclusive” — here’s their chance to prove it.
We started this campaign to contrast the lives of LGBTQ individuals in the Palestinian territories and Israel. It has evolved into a realization that achieving Palestinian recognition for LGBTQ rights could lead to true liberalization of the Arab world — and thus, eventually, peace.
Right now, there is a clash of values between Israel and most of the Arab world. In Israel, gay people can live their lives openly, while the Arab world views them with disdain. Homosexuality is illegal in many Arab countries. The NTC $1,000,000 Gay Pride Parade Challenge holds the potential to awaken acceptance and greater tolerance in the Arab world.
Starting Monday, September 16, mobile billboards will be circulating around Columbia University (116th Street and Broadway) in New York City, the headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave NW) in Washington, DC, and UCLA (405 Hilgard Avenue) in Los Angeles advertising our offer and encouraging Queers for Palestine (or any LGBTQ organization) to accept our challenge.
An LGBTQ Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank would empower grassroots LGBTQ movements within Arab countries and work toward improving human rights for all. Please join us in urging LGBTQ advocacy organizations in the United States to take up our Challenge, make an unforgettable statement, and advance the human rights they purport to uphold.
Send a message to U.S. LGBTQ leaders using the form at right.
Additional links of note:
Fox News Opinion: A Pride Month note to Queers for Palestine
Rubin Report: Hezbollah Has a Brutal Message for “Queers for Palestine” Protesters
“Queers for Palestine” receive a “reality check” following social media post
Benjamin Netanyahu: “Gays for Gaza” is like “Chickens for KFC.”
Jewish News Syndicate: The Paradox of “Queers for Palestine”
National Post: ‘You don’t know Hamas’: What gay Israelis think about anti-Israel protests
New York Times Opinion: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage?
New York Times: How Hamas Is Fighting in Gaza: Tunnels, Traps and Ambushes
New York Times: Israeli Consulate to pull back presence at NYC Pride
$1,000,000 CHALLENGE TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Recipient group must be a recognized U.S. 501(c)3 organization
Parade route must be at least 1 km (approx. ½ mile)
Parade must have at least 200 participants
80% of participants must be Palestinian and from the West Bank or Gaza
Participants must outwardly “show” LGBTQ Pride (carrying rainbow flags, trans flags, wearing full leather outfit, dressed in drag, etc.)
Parade must take place in a major public street
At least half of parade signs must be in Arabic
Parade must be filmed by NTC
Offer expires on March 16, 2025
Email info@newtolerance.org to apply