From Cahokian, a gay New York site: The latest developments on the initially-successful effort (back in February) by porn king Michael Lucas, who is said to be an American-Israeli citizen, to block by financial-muscle a group called Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from meeting at a LGBT center in New York. Apparently the center is now opening itself to the group after all. And Lucas is steamed. (h/t Ian Horst):
Just in the nick of time the Lesbian & Gay Center issued a statement [on May 25] that must be seen as at least a partial victory: "The Center recently received a request for space rental by a group called “Queers Against Israeli Apartheid” for the purposes of holding recurring meetings to plan for local Pride events. This afternoon we informed the group that the Center would allow access for these meetings." The statement goes on to say that since QAIA is an "LGBT group" unlike Siegebusters, they would be granted space, provided that they sign a new "Space Use Pledge of Non Discrimination." That statement has what's no doubt meant to be a "gotcha" clause in it ("We recognize that respecting individual dignity, achieving equality and promoting intergroup harmony are the responsibilities of all people, including our group. We reject hatred and will not engage in acts or expressions of hatred directed to any person(s) or group(s). Our group will work in good faith to affirm and abide by these principles in all our activities and affairs.), which I find a little creepily naive or thought-controlly, but not a deal-breaker. The Center states it will be engaging a consulting company to review its policies; who news how that will turn out. So the new good news is that supporters of the Israeli Apartheid state have not, for now at least, succeeded in completely silencing pro-Palestinian activists at the Center. Queers for an Open LGBT Center says pressure must be kept on the Center's board.
But now here's where it gets interesting. The pro-Palestine activists were open in their suggestion that the Center needed to be pressured, and possibly boycotted. But the right-wing porn magnate (a dual US/Israeli citizen) behind the expulsion of Siegebusters issued a remarkable statement [May 25] on these later developments:
"I have a very unfortunate update. The group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid was just granted the ability to have their meetings in the LGBT Center. As I always believed, the LGBT Center of NY is an anti-Israeli nest and we did not put enough pressure on them to stop their efforts to harm the Jewish state. But we have the power to stop them. The LGBT Center receives city, federal, foundation, and private funding. We have to work on reaching the government officials and ask them to cut that funding unless the Center changes its decision. We should also reach out to different organizations and individuals and collect money to take a full page ad in the New York Times Magazine. I know this is not cheap and I myself will generously contribute. I also believe that their support of political activity may jeopardize their ability to maintain tax-free status. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts, input, and suggestions. I do need your help. Best regards, Michael Lucas."
The statement shows Lucas's priorities. He's not advocating discussions with the Center or the community, or even a boycott, he's talking about getting it shut down or put in legal or financial jeopardy unless it does what he tells it to do. Lucas's actions are a transparent threat to the entire lesbian and gay community to either enforce a pro-Israel-only policy or face destruction. Lucas is no friend of gay people.
Mr Lucas is quite proud of his Jewish heritage, and of the fact he comes from a stable family unlike the usual porn star. In fact, he brought both his parents to the USA, his mom, the teacher of Russian Lit, and his dad, the engineer; they work for him now–his dad likes to work on the props for his son’s wonderful films.
Lucas is a dual u.s/israeli citizen? So when the Israel firsters subservience to the zionist colonial entity Israel becomes public knowledge, there’ll be a “safe-haven” for him in the settler entity? Except when Israel (not its people) becomes nothing more than a footnote to the history of the 21st century, and the search is on for America’s Israel firster triators, where’s he going to hide now? Is he counting on a just and free Palestine to turn down an extradition request from the u. s. government?
This persecution of NY’s LGBT community is positively Wittyesque in its language.
“This persecution of NY’s LGBT community…”
That’s misleading isn’t it? Michael Lucas seems to be fervently against the LGBT Community Center, but it’s a stretch to say that he’s against the LGBT community.
Also yourstruly’s veiled threat that an outwardly gay Jewish man would have nowhere to hide in a free Palestine is simply chilling.
I think you meant “openly gay” GF, and I also think you’re trying to twist yourtruly’s comment into something it isn’t. It is about a free Palestine observing a US extradition request, and that nothing to do with Lucas’ jewishness or his gayness.
And for the record, I don’t think there’ll ever come a time when Israel-first Americans are put on trial – except in a few rare cases like Pollard.
That’s misleading isn’t it? Michael Lucas seems to be fervently against the LGBT Community Center, but it’s a stretch to say that he’s against the LGBT community.
He’s for the LGBT community as long as they kow-tow to his sensibilities and opinions. Otherwise, no. Maybe you missed Phil’s end statement:
“The statement shows Lucas’s priorities. He’s not advocating discussions with the Center or the community, or even a boycott, he’s talking about getting it shut down or put in legal or financial jeopardy unless it does what he tells it to do. Lucas’s actions are a transparent threat to the entire lesbian and gay community to either enforce a pro-Israel-only policy or face destruction. Lucas is no friend of gay people.”
.
I’ll tell you one thing, GF. Homosexuals, as a minority, have been dealing with persecution a LOT longer than Jews have, and we’ve managed to defend ourselves and further our cause with patience and empathy, rather than resorting to the violence and terrorism that Zionism represents.
The vast majority of Palestinians choose the our tactics and only a minority choose your tactics and that’s why you will inevitably find more support against Israel and the occupation that it encompasses than for it among the LGBT community.
And let me tell you one more thing. If you continue to use us as pawns, and you continue to threaten us politically when we don’t do your bidding, there will be hell to pay. And unlike you, GF, LGBTs know how to defend themselves without resorting to murder and brigandry.
So keep it up, GF. All you’re doing is declaring war against one of the longest suffering minorities that has been most successful under persecution over the course of history. Go ahead and take that on, Zionist.
link to pinknews.co.uk
link to petertatchell.net
“The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is in deep denial. Yet again we seem to have a so-called progressive movement implying that queer lives are expendable for the sake of the greater good of a revolutionary struggle.” – Peter Tatchell
link to hrw.org
“A 19-year-old man – whose father won’t hire a lawyer to defend him – has been in jail without trial for more than a year because he is gay.”
Great, can we talk about how often gay people get stones thrown at them and virulent protests by Jewish extremists in Israel too? Or has your Islamophobia blinded you too much?
In evaluating Michael Lucas comments and actions, it is important to keep in mind that Zionism thrives on conflict and absolutely requires anti-Semitism (real or imagined) or its surrogate, anti-Zionism. This is what unites the group in “defensive” solidarity. For Zionism, rationality is the kiss of death.
Isn’t Mr. Lucas a member of an Apartheid group? More importantly, “Queers against Apartheid” are not an Apartheid group, but anti-Apartheid.
I guess Mr. Lucas should argue and Sodom and Gomorrah were in the area that would be under queer unfriendly Palestinian rule. While so far Israeli theocrats are quite queer friendly. For example, municipal rabbis issue curses (fatwas) against renting to Goyim, and did not issue any fatwas against renting to queers. Moreover, queer marriage in Israel is as possible as any hetero marriage between different religions (and no religion).
I say send this material to Rev Haggard.
The whole area of taboos is so interesting. A porn magnate lambasts an LBGT outfit for breaking the taboo of discussing Israel openly. Criticism of Israel is still as socially unacceptable as child abuse but for how much longer?
Toronto QuAIA Deputation – Pride 2011 A report by John Greyson
“On May 25, 2011, QuAIA (Queers Against Israeli Apartheid) presented this video at Toronto City Council’s Executive Committee as our deputation on the Toronto City Manager report on Pride Toronto’s compliance with City anti-discrimination policy.”
[The City Manager had previously concluded that the term Israeli apartheid *did not violate* any laws or city anti-discrimination policy. (app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.EX5.1)]
“After a great deal of political posturing Executive Committee finally voted to accept the City Manager’s Report, removing a major barrier to Pride funding for 2011.”
Having achieved this victory at City Hall, in a surprisng move the QuAIA group announced they would not march in the Pride Parade this year.
Here’s their excellent 5 min. video explaining why : link to vimeo.com
Meanwhile, how’s this for timing–the TCM cable channel is commencing a film series in July running Hollywood’s version of the Arab since the 1920s:
link to tcm.com
Avi mentioned that on another thread, I recall. I have to say it’s amazing that someone in the mainstream is even actually taking this on openly, let alone spending that much time on it.
Yes it is amazing.
Past editions of TCM’s Race and Hollywood film series explored how Hollywood has portrayed such groups as African-Americans (2006), Asians (2008), Latinos (2009) and Native Americans (2010). In addition, TCM examined Hollywood’s depiction of gay characters and themes in 2007. Who owns/controls TCM?