Multiple Pride parades in Atlantic Canada have announced their support for the Palestinian cause to honour their “commitment to intersectionality.”
One Pride parade went as far as to claim that “queer liberation is Palestinian liberation,” despite same-sex activity being prohibited in Gaza.
St. John’s Pride in Newfoundland is one of the groups that has pledged support for Palestine.
“In a continuous effort to honour our commitment to intersectionality and the liberation of all peoples, St. John’s Pride has engaged in dialogue with Palestine Action WT,” organizers said. “Recognizing the significance of inclusivity and solidarity, we have invited Palestine Action YYT to lead this year’s Pride parade.”
Parade organizers have also pledged to support boycotting institutions on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) list.
“Pride is here. Pride is for everyone. We are committed to the liberation of all of us, not some of us,” parade organizers noted.
The St. John’s Pride Parade is set to take place July 21.
Fredericton Pride in New Brunswick has also pledged its support for Palestine and announced that Fredericton Palestine Solidarity will be the parade’s grand marshal.
“We believe, as Fredericton Palestine Solidarity does, that queer liberation is Palestinian liberation,” organizers said in a statement. “Pride began as a riot and has always been about our interconnected struggle for liberation.”
Fredericton Pride will be banning military and arms manufacturers, banks and “other businesses listed on the Canadian BDS Coalition’s website.”
Parade organizers will also be hosting a panel on “queer liberation and decolonization” and are asking gay and transgender people living in Fredericton to attend weekly anti-Israel rallies organized by the Fredericton Palestine Solidarity.
The Fredericton Pride parade will also take place on July 21.
Organizers noted that “keffiyehs and Palestinian flags are welcome throughout Pride week,” and warned that “any harassment towards community members wearing keffiyehs, Palestinian flags or otherwise showing their support for Palestine will not be tolerated.”
The statement did not say whether there would also be a zero tolerance policy for hate targeted at gay and transgender Jews or those wearing the Israeli flag.
The decision of St. John’s and Fredericton Pride to embrace the Palestinian cause comes as far-left pro-Palestinian activists disrupt, hijack and shut down Pride parades across North America.
Parades in Winnipeg, as well as Philadelphia, Boston, Denver and New York City were disrupted. Pro-Palestinian activists also successfully shut down the Toronto Pride parade on the weekend.
PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian queer activists at the Toronto Pride Parade. Source: Sue-Ann Levy
The protests and disruptions in solidarity with Palestine come despite the dismal gay rights situation in the Middle East.
Homosexuality is a criminal offense in Gaza. In the West Bank, Palestinian Authority police have banned activities by gay rights groups. Polling has also shown that 95% of Palestinians oppose homosexuality, and 93% believe society should not accept homosexuals.
Israel, on the other hand, has served as a safe haven for LGBT people in the Middle East.
St John’s Pride and Fredericton Pride did not respond to a request for comment.