...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

My “pride”: Just wanted to give a shout out to Lauren Posen (the daughter of friends) who wrote this terrific letter to the Toronto Star:

On Saturday as I watched the lesbian march in downtown Toronto, my initial feelings of being proud to live in a city that celebrates diversity and tolerance took a dark turn, as two women walked by with a sign that read, "Stop Israel Apartheid."

While I am a strong believer in freedom of speech, and using festivals that celebrate diversity and inclusion as a platform for other human rights issues, I found it terribly ironic that of all places for such a sign to appear, it was in a parade on Pride weekend.

I would be shocked if these women were aware of Israel's achievements concerning gay rights.

·         Israel is one of only four countries in the Middle East where same-sex relations between consenting adults are not illegal. In fact, in most other Mideast countries, it is a crime punishable by flogging, stoning and hanging.

·         In the Israeli military, homosexuals serve without any separate restrictions or distinctions.

·         Israel is the only country in the Middle East and all of Asia to recognize gay marriage.

·         Every year Tel Aviv and Jerusalem hold gay-pride parades.

I wonder how these women think they would be received if they were to have moved their parade into the Gaza Strip or West Bank.

I’m so proud of you, Lauren, for speaking up.

Posted by: scaramouche at 10:20 | link | comments

Comments: