Toronto Pride 2010: Minor tension over Queers Against Israeli Apartheid

[AryanTheurgist]

Lol, fags vs. yehuds, "A throwdown, itz!"

I love it. Where's Lionel Blue with the bootleg E?

[RafaelFernandeSantos]

The Jewish Defense League is a homophobic group; on its webpage, it says that Nazi leaders were homosexual; denies that gay men persecuted by the Nazi regime; and conflates homosexuality with pedophilia. If Arabs aren't frieds of gas, so aren't those Jew. They had no business marchin in a gay parade.

[NeverSeenAsaskatoon]

Israel is not perfect. Israel is absolutely NOT above any criticism and in a healthy society that values freedom of expression this criticism must be tolerated, not banished. Pride is also about the diversity of the LGBT community and if somebody in the community feels that they want to express their opinions while at the Pride - they must be allowed to do it!

P.S. What about Israeli record on LGBT rights at the occupied territories, controlled by it, the Bedouin and Druze villages?

[JohnnyRock2000]

Toronto Zionist Jews are so afraid of QUAIA that they forced the Toronto City Council to ban any criticism of Israel, under threat of withdrawing finances.

[alskyification]

what fun to support your worst enemy. These lefties are Islams useful idiots !

[DCFunBud]

#1. If gay activists want all the rights accorded to straights, they should concentrate on THEIR ISSUE and not get sidetracked by other causes. #2. Guess where Palestinian gays live? Israel! Islam is the enemy of gay people; make no mistake. The find out you're gay, you die. In no Muslim country do gays live openly. Israel is our friend and our friends should be supported not condemned.

[smike53]

@DCFunBud

...well put!

[criticalviewer1959]

NO PINKWASH excuse!

Look at these aggressive Zionists. Listen to 3:01 "We all get the society that we deserve."

I guess he wants to tell us that the massacre in the Gaza strip between Dec. 27, 2008 and Jan. 2009 was what the people deserved? This war attacks resulted between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths. Because of the high number of civilian casualties it's called massacre and crime against humanity.

There is no specific "gay stuff", QUEER or LGBT rights are human rights!

[Thunderwavia]

@criticalviewer1959 anti-semitism in the gay community in Toronto must be a big problem now

[hilarycutter]

QUAIA = Nazi's in pride. how nice

[zackhf]

Blue shirt dude is a douche...

[jmzimmerman1984]

much courage

[alskyification]

such hypocrites these people are. 'occupation' is in the minds of those who hate

[nightpilots]

McKaskill is an anti-semitiic homo.

[mdiker12]

@DmitriyXYZ

Agreed, people are so ignorant in Toronto, if you support gay pride, democracy, education and intellectual development, freedom of speech and religion how can you not support Israel - Israel stand for all of that. It is the light upon nations

[smike53]

@mdiker12

...well said! They just dont seem to realise the paradox of a gay living in an sexually discriminated society protesting against equal rights and freedom of speech.

[Farkulus]

How does it feel to be co-opted, PRIDE? Now that you allowed the Palestinians to march against Israel, Rob Ford can point to your broken promise and refuse all funding. I support PRIDE and wish them all the best in the next four years...but I also wish you had honoured your promise.

[sunny39906]

To focus on only gay right issues is to oppress other oppressed peoples. And they wonder why Rob Ford do s not want fund there gay pride parade with tax payers money. Sounds like there are many racist gays who only think about themselves and there community. Most parades start with a protest like the gay pride parade. Its a shame that the LBGT Community forgot that.

[CybershulDotCom]

How about Queers in support of Fascism?

[ericab1981]

Laughing when Iraqis kill each other is not Anti-Semitism

[mdiker12]

Watch the video starting at 4:00 until around 6:00, why doesn't the speaker with the mic not understand the people who he is interviewing?? I don't think he is very bright...

[rachelgolem]

I would rather be lynched by Muslims than support Israel.

[mdiker12]

@rachelgolem someday you may get your wish..

[jason0998]

The Gay arabs holding the signs were soo effing HOT!!!

[jason0998]

Pro-Palestine Gays ! Go Canada !

[LesMarvelous]

"When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent because I was not a Communist.

When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat.

Then they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

When they came for me, there was no one left to protest."

M. Niemöller (1892-1984) German theologian & concentration camp survivor

Thanks for upload

[Ilkamy]

Stop pink washing!

"Whose pride? - Our pride!" Queers against apartheid!

My deep respect for the QuAIA comrades & their pride!

They've fought for the freedom of speech & the right of expression.

The diversity of the Free Gaza movement is growing and can not be beaten.

No one can dictate us what we have to think or say.

The siege on Gaza has to end! Stop Israeli apartheid!

Courage and strength for our struggles for social rights for everybody - everywhere! Human rights are indivisible!

[kafkatoo]

Do the basic math: 1.57 billion Muslims and 15 million Jews worldwide....with 6 million murdered in WWII....wouldn't you want to be a little protectionist of your borders.

But even more ironic: Sibling Rivalry: Judaisim, Christianity and Islam....three sister religions which share the same God...It's absolutely the same God...and similar elements in their holy writings...and none of them can get along....wish the other was dead....sounds like my three daughters in one of their fights.

[kafkatoo]

Those who created the official Apartheid doctrine of South Africa looked at the Canadian Indian Act for examples.

Check out the debate at: xtra.ca/public/National/Minor_­tension_at_Toronto_Pride_parad­e_over_Queers_Against_Israeli_­Apartheid-8884.aspx

A Zionist....I'm killing myself laughing as my pro-Nazi German grandfather is probably rolling over in his grave.

[kafkatoo]

Check out what I have to say on the Xtra web site about the issue. I really concentrate on Canada's Apartheid, our shame on how we've treated the First Nations people, a people who have had their identity and culture stripped away and have been "requested" to live on the Reserves for their benefits. It's not as sensationalistic a story....just not fashionable with the media...but not any less important. and current.

[kafkatoo]

I was just called a "truth-bending Zionist" by JohnnyRock2000. He made Zionist sound like a 'bad' thing. I checked up the definition on line and only found that a Zionist was somebody who supports the creation of a Jewish state. Now first I have to ask everybody out there...did I miss something?

Truth-bending...well that's a different story...don't we all see the truth the way we'd like to. If QuAIA were serious, they should have protested during the G20 and not during our Pride.

[indydark]

(con't) Both sides are wrong. Both sides are right. In that both should have a right to exist. When both sides agree that this is true, then peace will happen. There have been peace treaties in the past, they just haven't been stuck to. Who's fault? I don't know. I can't remember. But, I'm sure, both sides blame the other.

[indydark]

@johnnyRock2000 Queers and straight Canandians also support Israel. The real issue here should be not arguing Israel's illtreatment of Palistinians. The reall issue is if the Toronto Pride Parade is the right forum for this Non-Queer Political issue to be presented. I've not seen a change in the way that the Arab world has treated Israel(in 40 years). I've only seen a shift in the way that the media chooses to present the actions of Israel. The "who started this" is now lost and irrelivant.

[indydark]

In all seriousness. When was the first time that a person, or organization, was permitted to march in the Toronto Gay Pride Parade when they were protesting another Government but NOT that Government's treatment of LGBT's? You're telling me that there weren't Queers up in arms with Ronald Regan? George Bush? Margaret Thatcher? Why weren't they permitted to march? Why weren't there a Queer group who wanted to march?

[JohnnyRock2000]

Toronto's 150,000 Jews don't own the Gay Pride organization this year. Toronto's politicians are owned and threaten to withdraw financial support next year if this happens again. Queers and straight Canadians - support QuAIA, one of the few groups to stand up and say that Zionism is racism.

[kafkatoo]

@JohnnyRock2000 I didn't hear or read that...that all queers and straight Canadians support QuAIA.... they certainly don't speak for me...they speak also speak racism...same trash...different flavour.

[JohnnyRock2000]

@kafkatoo - they are seeing and speaking about what is happening in Israel. It's a clear observation that most of the world has seen for decades. They are seeing racism happening in Israel, perpetrated by Zionists. You, on the otherhand, are twisting that observation into a racist criticism of the perpetrator. You don't like criticism of Zionists. Zionists hope to gain by that twisting of the truth and that's what you are. A truth-bending Zionist. You are that and so is Israel.

[kafkatoo]

And I know this has probably been said before but would QuAIA be warmly accepted to march in Palestine? I don't know about you...but I can't march for the rights of people who wish to see me dead.

And finally...it's always so easy to look in your neighbour's yard and point the finger. Why didn't anybody mention Canada's apartheid; what we have done and are still doing to the First Nations people.

Fix and fortify your own house before you decide to throw stones at others.

[wicaco]

@kafkatoo So where are all the "Jews against Canadian Apartheid" groups?

[kafkatoo]

And being relatively new to the 'gay' lifestyle...I have to say...this parade should be for the LGBTTIQQ2S (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgendered, Intersexual, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited) groups. Let the others get their own parade.

It's queer (pun intended) that a community so sensitive on appropriate speech & terminology can allow a lose canon in their midsts.

Have we opened the door for any group? As the one gentleman said...the KKK?

Or those who wish to convert gays?

[kafkatoo]

I don't think it's the message that's inflammatory...it's the way it was said. Why not Queers for a Free Palestine...why center out Israel? It's unfortunate that most people in the parade would not be able to find Israel & Palestine on a map.

I think the Nazis were also given Freedom of Speech and were tolerated. Their initial message appealed to the masses, a crushed people (Treaty of Versailles).  Look at the aftermath.

Both sides share some guilt and some responsibility. Use reason!

[kafkatoo]

There's a very fine line between freedom of speech and hate speech.

I'm in a good position to say this. I'm of German descent and my grandfather who died earlier this year in Germany, at the age of 100 & 1 month, was always pro-Nazi, even after the war. He was never keen on my Italian ex-wife because she was Italian. He never knew about my current Jewish male partner and my coming out late in life.

Everybody should be entitled to their own opinion...their own educated opinion, hopefully.

[indydark]

Firstly. Matt Mills did a good job in being a reporter. I think he's a smart enough person to know that the primary message of QuAIA is not Queer Rights. When was the last time, other that QuAIA, has someone marched in the Toronto Pride Parade with a similar message of QuAIA? Meaning, a message that was not protesting a NON-GAY issue? Pride Toronto has opened the door for even a Christian group to march that was anti-gay. Where would be their free-speach rights to march? (and Matt is CUTE!!)

[muddyabbas]

Seriously who exactly are you to tell who is allowed to march and who is not??

It was gay pride and most of the people in the march are gay. Your remark is extremely UNCANADIAN!!

[chanpion37]

This Matt Mills is ridiculous!!! Of course Xtra decides to place the most UNREPRESENTATIVE clips from the parade.... this is so irksome. I was at the Kulanu group, and marched with them, and was also interviewed by this character and spoke very nicely and peacefully and in fact he seemed more neutral but of course... he shoots the handful of rowdy individuals and makes QuAIA look innocent when they truly shouldn't have been allowed to march. Aren't interviewers supposed to be neutral??

[DrAvrington]

Right. The Jews: Judeans originally from the last remaining tribe of ancient Israel: Judah are the historical residents of their land with Moses being the first "Zionist" as stated by the Barbadian Ambassador to the UN; Waldron E. Waldron-Ramsay "If my Bible is correct, Moses was the first Zionist by leading his people from Egyptian servitude back to the lands of their nation's birth." All scholars note the Exodus to have dated to some 1440BCE. Zionism is not new. Sadly, neither is Jihad.

[muddyabbas]

A bit of history lesson for those who are more interested in Pro-Israel or Pro-Apartheid rather then gay pride:

Watch "Bible Unearthed". None of the religion is from God!

- Phillistines and Yshraelis are both descendants of Cananites.

- Judaism was invented by Hezekiah. And it was done to destroy polytheism.

- Christianity and Islamic books have history stolen from the previous religions and also local religions. (keep reading down)

[muddyabbas]

(cont..)

- Christians and Muslims took over the "holy" land in later eras because of the twisted logic that their holy books had mentioned that area (especially many times in Quran. I don't know much about Christian history though)

(keep reading down)

[muddyabbas]

(cont...)

Anyways, point I am trying to make right now is, in the modern era, trying to conquer any area where people are already living and properties in it, you can just kick them out from their homes. The point Jews are trying to make, 1 Jew state, and 50 Muslim states is quiet bizzare too. Because that land is captured in modern era from people already living. There is so much empty land in other places if Jews had to unite from all over the world. (keep reading down)

[muddyabbas]

(cont..)

Also, there are lies in the video. I want to clear!

- Palestinians have no right to vote!

- And Arab seats are heavily restricted

- They have no right to acquire new land!

[mudabbas]

I didn't realized I was sucked into this. I wanted to be marching for my gay pride not for any political or religious agenda. The guy is right, why didn't this thing happen outside gay pride parade?

[CalatilySisters]

To those who are against pro-palestine queers, would you rather they were banned to parade or not? I mean, im irish and wudn't i have a non-gay related agenda (being patriotic) if i brought my own flag too?

[Simmyorl]

for those of you who say that Israel is an apartheid state...IT IS NOT!!

South Africa was an apartheid...but ISRAEL!?

Arabs in israel are allowed to VOTE (oh, what a concept that is!), arabs are allowed to have their own political parties, and even have seats!!!

[StoogeWatcher]

I find it funny that a pro-Palestine group is marching in a gay pride parade. Do people know what happens to gays in the Muslim world?

[YeOldeHeretic]

Both sides have some valid points, but just because Israel is Queer-friendly does not mean that they are absolved of other acts of oppression that their government and military commits. I am glad this group was able in the parade.

[TheDFanatic]

Since when did the PRIDE PARADE became the "Fucking fucked up millenia-old hatreds and religious extremism-fueled IDIOCY Parade". Gays get one day a year to celebrate and these palestinians pieces of shit have to spoil for everybody else. Fuck Palestine, fuck Israel! There will be no peace there until one side is completely annihilated anyways. Now pride might loose its funding because of this dumb fucks. This shit has nothing to do with being gay. BAN the QAIA NOW!

[crashcow]

Wow, those Kiwanis are real jerks. And when did Meir Weinstein come out of the closet?

[darksideofthenation]

and we dont really have the freedom to scream hateful speeches, apparently, the guy with the baseball cap does not realize that hate speech is illegal in Canada, and speaking against israelie aparthied is not considered hatred against Jewish people, nelson mandela was not preaching against hatred agianst white south africans either.

[darksideofthenation]

its absolutely tragic that there are people who would compare those against Israelie aparthied as the KKK, this kind of inflamtory remark is really hateful. And pridei s not just about gay rights, its about sexual freedom, the rights of sex workers, etc and for also gender queers and trans people and those who are marginalized because of thier gender identity or expression..

[StoogeWatcher]

@darksideofthenation Which don't exist in the Muslim world, especially in Gaza and Palestine.

[darksideofthenation]

wow, we have some crazy zionists in the parade..

[DrAvrington]

It is so sad to see so many willfully misguided individuals. There are NO "Palestinians". Palestine was never a nation therefore there is NO nationality. They are Arabians from Arabia that usurped Palestine through jihad starting 450 years before the first crusade submitting and occupying over 50, once non Islamic, lands, nations and peoples. These people might consider learning the factually correct version of their own history and that of Islam and what Islam actually is. Such ignorance..

[moeguy222]

If your paper does not see the difference between a GAY issue and a political issue that has nothing to do with actual gay rights, I think I need to re examine whether or not I should continue to read your paper. Freedom of speech is great, and Israel is not without fault in the treatment of Palestinians, but a pride parade is for freedom of speech on gay issues, and not EVERY other political issue that comes along, whether or not the group behind it has gay members in their ranks. Obviously.

[stasis1988]

The Israeli Apartheid people have absolutely nothing to do with Gay Rights. It's wrong to censor them out of the parade... but they should stop being Jerk Wads and find a different way to promote their cause.  Having an argument about Israel and Palestine is not a great way to celebrate pride, or work toward Queer rights.

[toymasheenSH]

@stasis1988 HEY IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT CUPE CAN'T FUND A PARADE BIG ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO CARE!

[CalatilySisters]

@stasis1988 Then shud'nt both groups have stopped being "Jerk-wads"?

[moeguy222]

@CalatilySisters Yes.