Condemnation
Dear Editor:
We condemn the deplorable, disruptive actions of protestors at an event sponsored by A Wider Bridge featuring the Jerusalem Open House during the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change conference.
The failure of the Task Force to ensure the event proceeded peacefully in the spirit of inclusion and dialogue that should be a hallmark of the conference is also deeply troubling.
The Task Force must do significant soul-searching to examine how it allowed such disruption to occur under its auspices even as it reaches out to repair ties with those who were obstructed in their attempt to gather in recognition and celebration of the tremendous work of the Jerusalem Open House.
Religious Action Center of Reform
Judaism Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner
Just one moment
To the Editor:
The statements issued by the LGBTQ Task Force and letter writers condemning the protest against A Wider Bridge have in common one thing: No mention is made of the oppression of the Palestinian people, an oppression of "ethnic cleansing" that goes back to before the establishment of Israel in 1948. One letter writer refers to "non-gay" issues, which could be an oblique reference to Palestinians.
The Task Force claims to be opposed to hate speech and discrimination of any kind, and rightly condemns anti-Semitism as being antithetical to its values. But, what about the decades-long killing, dispossession and humiliation meted out to Palestinians—gay and non-gay alike? Isn't this worthy of mention by the Task Force and those claiming to be concerned about alleged rowdy protest behavior toward conference reception attendees? Or are some lives ( Israelis and supporters ) worth more than others ( Palestinians and supporters )?
Protest condemnations ignore the many Jews participating. The protest was endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace, which also organized a Shabbat service that preceded the protest. Black Lives Matter and allied groups also participated, recognizing that solidarity with other oppressed people is required to strengthen all justice struggles.
Also unaddressed is the "pinkwashing" issue represented by A Wider Bridge, the Israeli government-inspired effort to deflect attention from brutal treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli regime by highlighting a relatively enlightened treatment of LGBTQ folk—at least in Tel Aviv.
Finally, the chant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," means to me and I think others as well, that the solution to the conflict is a unitary, secular state welcoming anyone who may wish to live within the boundaries of Israel/Palestine. This is supposedly what we have in the United States. Does anyone really want to live in an officially "Christian" United States, where other faiths have legal second-class status?
Bob Schwartz
Chicago
Together and apart
Dear Editor:
It was disheartening and alarming to read reports in Windy City Times and other media about the acts of intolerance at the recent Creating Change conference.
I fear the recent successes in LGBT causes has led to the kind of splintering that we so often see in political parties and corporations when they ride a tidal wave of success. We are still a small minority and no group has more reasons to practice and advocate civility and respect for one another than we do.
Renee James
Let's talk about respect
Dear Editor:
It is shocking that activists shut down a Shabbat service and meeting because it included Israeli LGBT leaders and U.S. supporters.
Jerusalem Open House is a cross-community group that serves both Jews and Arabs, including many gay men from the West Bank. It is part of the solution. The "pinkwashing" protesters could learn about the conflict by talking to these individuals who live with it every day.
Israel is not a racist, apartheid, or colonialist country. The Israeli-Arab conflict is an extremely complex regional conflict. Israel has very real security concerns, as evidenced by the half dozen wars since its founding and the recent knife and car attacks on Jewish civilians and Israeli soldiers. Jews have always lived in Palestine and in the Middle East, and have a right to national self-determination, as do Palestinians, Kurds and others.
Israelis and their American supporters should have the right to convene at a U.S. LGBT activist conference. Respect for diversity includes respect for differences of opinion regarding a complicated geopolitical and historical conflict.
Sean Cahill
Boston
[Editor's note: No Shabbat service was shut down at the conference; the reception that was held after the Shabbat service stopped early due to the protesters.]
Civil disobedience
Letter to the Editor:
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu,
melekh ha'olam.
Blessed are You, LORD our
God, King of the universe!
Windy City Times reported that Gay Liberation Network, Black Lives Matter Chicago, and BiNet USA organized a protest against a presentation by a LGBT Jewish group at the National LGBTQ Task Force's Creating Change conference in Chicago.
According to the news articles, online videos and session participants, the protesters exhibited an appalling manifestation of anti-Semitic prejudice. Hotel security could not control the protesters and ensure the safety of the participants; the Chicago Police Department was called in to restore order.
As victims of hatred and discrimination ourselves, LGBTQ people need to disavow our community from the tactics of the protestors. Protestors have the right to protest and express their opinions. However, they need to do so in a civil manner.
The tenor of the protest calls into question why organizations such as Black Lives Matter and BiNet USA decided to align themselves with an anti-Semitic incident. Their guiding documents, principles and purposes make no mention of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
One of the protest organizers—the Gay Liberation Network ( GLN ), with its self-appointed leader Andy Thayer—has consistently exhibited anti-religious animosity at its various past protests. On the one hand, they are quick to protest any religious group for its anti-gay stances, often with confrontation and intimidation of innocent bystanders. On the other hand, it has NEVER come to the aid of any religious LGBT group or individual under homophobic attack. The acrimonious practices of GLN makes it clear why LGBT organizations have all disavowed themselves of the GLN: HRC, Equality Illinois, Stonewall Democrats, Log Cabin Republicans, etc.
The protesting groups failed to draw a fundamental distinction between the two Jewish LGBTQ organizations and the Israeli government. Apparently, they have never participated in any dialog with Jewish LGBTQ organizations to foster mutual edification and understanding. The two Jewish groups, A Wider Bridge and the Jerusalem Open House, advocate for LGBT rights in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel's occupation of Palestine and treatment of Palestinians is brutal, abhorrent and inhumane, rightfully subject to international condemnation. Jewish LGBT groups are NOT responsible for Israel's loathsome politics in Palestine.
I call upon the GLN, Black Lives Matter Chicago and BiNet USA to issue a public apology to National LGBTQ Task Force, A Wider Bridge and the Jerusalem Open House for the hostile behavior and public anti-Semitism displayed by their protestors. In spite of their anti-racist and anti-homophobic efforts, their misstep reflects a broader issue for the LGBTQ demographic: Our community, with its progressive politics, still regrettably exhibits Anti-Semitism. We all need to participate in cultural sensitivity training regarding Judaism and anti-Semitism.
Let us all pray to God for inspiration, forgiveness and reconciliation. Amen.
In faith and fellowship,
Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Community minister,
Second Unitarian Church
