“…many heterosexuals supported gay rights when it wasn’t popular. Now that lesbians and gays are empowered, they have a duty to speak for people who need a voice. You’re obliged to help others who need it.”
As the parade neared its start, Meir Weinstein, the national director of the Jewish Defence League, marched down the block to stand in front of the idle contingent from Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. With a Bluetooth in his ear and a rainbow flag draped over his shoulder, he waved his Israeli flag at the group – who were only recently permitted to march after parade organizers lifted an earlier ban.
“This is a provocation,” yelled one of the member of QuAIA. The two challenged each other about how many of their members of their respective groups were homosexual.
“You are like a fly in my ear,” Mr. Weinstein replied.
After a very public battle for inclusion in this year’s Pride parade, QuAIA were able to participate, though not everyone was pleased by their use of the word ‘apartheid’.
If you ask me, I think they should have invited JDL president Meir Weinstein to take a picture with them. This would have allowed them to make it clear that their beef was not with Jews or Israelis or whomever. They could have thanked him for supporting Pride and for supporting the fight for human rights and equality for all LGBTQ people in Canada and around the globe. And as part of their photo op, they could have called for human rights and dignity to be granted to all persons; regardless of where they are; regardless of their nationality, race, gender, religion or creed; regardless of if they live in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or Israel.
The message of Pride is one of inclusion and equality; that each of us is the same; that there is no privileging of some above others. It would have been great opportunity to have Weinstein say whether he supports or rejects that idea.
Links:
- Pride parade can’t be ‘everything to everyone’
- Queers Against Israeli Apartheid refuse to be silenced
- Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
- Jewish Defence League (Canada)
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