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Toronto Pride – Torontonian’s Emotional Plea

Posted by: Lez Get Real on June 30, 2010.

6-29-10; Melanie Nathan -

Having been raised in South Africa I share the viewpoint that associating Israel with apartheid given the different nature and history of the struggles of each Country is tantamount to bashing those who indeed suffered apartheid. The association of that word with Israel is divisive at a time when we should all be seeking solutions and peace. Bringing it into any pride context is clearly contrary to the nature of Pride and its intent. There is nothing to be proud of when your organization banners the LGBT community together with divisiveness.

Noah Gurza is a Canadian Jewish gay male residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Currently serving as a consultant with the Ontario Provincial Government working on engaging youth in volunteerism and community activities, particularly youth from newcomer and diverse backgrounds. Noah is a proud and out gay male who has been very vocal over the years about legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada and wrote numerous letters to national and local papers on the subject.

Noah has asked for your support in his complaint to Toronto Pride which speaks for itself through his letter:
Dear Tracey Sandilands and the Pride Executive Committee:

We are proud gay and gay-friendly Torontonians. Proud to be living in a city, a province and a country that is a bastion of tolerance. We are proud that our gay rights are upheld both in law and in practice. We are also proud to promote, watch and march in a parade year after year that is known across the world to be inclusive, respectful, fun and which above all showcases our diversity both sexually and ethnically.

It is with outrage that we learned about your decision to overturn the ban on Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) This cowardly reversal to now allow this group to March in this year’s Parade, is in direct violation of your own core philosophy, thereby allowing the participation of group rooted in hate and demonization. Their mere presence undermines Pride’s claim that it stands for equality, dignity and tolerance.

As Justine Apple, executive director of Kulanu Toronto and Bernie M. Farber, CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress, state in their editorial in this weekend’s Toronto Star, “discrimination, intimidation and hatred must not be given license to hijack the parade and turn it into a propaganda tool for inflammatory vitriol”.

Is this a victory for Free Speech? Not in the least. No one is stopping QuAIA from voicing their vitriol – but how does this group belong in a Gay Pride parade, whose very essence is to celebrate sexual preference, sexual diversity and inclusiveness, and fighting discrimination?

It simply, without question, DOES NOT.

The affairs of the State of Israel and the Israel/Palestinian conflict are so far removed from a parade on sexuality and gay rights, that one wonders if the parade will become a vehicle for all human rights issues to be voiced. Why are we not seeing Gays for a Free Tibet? Gays for a Free Pays Basque? Or Gays for a Free Corsica march alongside drag queens and hot cops?

Let us remind the executive as to where gays in the Middle East are tortured and murdered for daring to express their sexual preference. The reality is that in the Middle East, Israel is to be admired for its gay rights and equality, amidst being surrounded by countries which condone violent and murderous homophobia.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Israel are considered the most developed in the Middle East. Israel also has one of the highest percentages of support for same-sex marriage in the world, with 61% of Israelis supporting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus are the only countries in the Middle East where homosexuality between consenting adults in private is not illegal and homosexuals are not persecuted under the law.

In most other Middle Eastern countries homosexuality is illegal, often punishable by flogging and even hanging. Homosexuality is one of the biggest taboos in the Arab world. The words “Luti,” or “Shaz,” are the most commonly words used to describe gays. Those terms essentially translate as “pervert” or “deviant” in Arabic.

Homosexuals in the Middle East are ostracized almost everywhere in the Muslim world. Gay rights organizations estimate that more than 100,000 gay men and women are being discriminated against and threatened in Muslim countries. Thousands of them commit suicide, end up in prison, or go into hiding.

As a result of this, oftentimes state-sanctioned homophobia, should we not be seeing a group or inviting a group to take the defense of gays in the Arab world entitled “Gays against Homophobia in the Middle East”?

As Justine Apple and Bernie Farber argue in their editorial, “apartheid” is not a term to be thrown about lightly. Apartheid is a crime against humanity, a despicable, discriminatory and disgusting regime supported only by irredeemable racists. Thus, Israelis and the vast majority of Diaspora Zionist Jews are tarred by the brush of horrific racism, systemic oppression of human rights and visceral hatred. QuAIA targets Israel with this dangerous and invidious libel, positioning the world’s only Jewish state as the racist successor to white supremacist South Africa. International pressure brought down apartheid’s racist oppression. Now, anti-Semites use these same tactics to soften up international public opinion and pave the way for Israel’s destruction.

The term “Israeli apartheid” utterly disrespects and disgraces the memory of those – including large numbers of Jews – who risked their lives to topple South African apartheid.

It is hard to fathom how you, the organizers of the Pride Toronto parade have come to this decision with this despicable and cowardly reversal on QuAIA’s place in the upcoming Pride Parade this Sunday.

We would have hoped that after all your courageous struggles to overcome intolerance and achieve the mainstreaming of LGBTQ equality rights in Toronto, Ontario and across the country, you would be able to recognize hatred when it is at your doorstep and stares you squarely in the face.

We are gay and gay-friendly Torontonians, cognizant that there is still a lot of work to be done for gay rights, not only in other countries, but at home, right here as well.

Just like the “Black Bloc” criminals who hijacked the protesters’ important cries out to the world’s leaders at this weekend’s G20 gathering in Toronto, so too does QuAIA, threatening to take over with messages that are contrary to Pride’s essence.

What are we marching for? To sell beer and mortgages? To listen to hate mongerers? Or rather to bask in the freedom that this city and, indeed, this country, enshrines for us.

QuAIA’s place in the Pride march sends a disturbing message. A message with which we do not want to be associated. A message which will result in us staying as far away from this year’s Parade as possible.

Shame on you,

Noah Gurza

Support Noah and the Toronto letter by clicking here :-http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132845070069329&ref=mf

UPDATED POST FOUND AT:

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18 Responses to Toronto Pride – Torontonian’s Emotional Plea

  1. Bernie Farber Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    Noah: Thank you for your inspired thinking and articulate manner in which you have addressed this issue. There is however one important area where we respectfully differ. CJC will be joing Kulanu (the Jewish LGBTQ group) and other Jewish organizations including UJA, Canada Israel Committee, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal and many synagogues at the Pride parade . In my view,the vast majority of Pride goers have nothing to do with “Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA)”. Literally hundreds of thousands of people (some say up to 1 million) people watch the Pride parade, we have the support of fourToronto mayoralty candidates some of whom will join us under the Kulanu flag and many many more. Do you really want QuAIA to be the only voice on Israel in a parade that receives national attention? Imagine if you will a sea of Canadian and Israeli flags as we all march as proud Jews together “Kulanu” extolling the virtue of the only country in the Middle East that defends and protects its LGBTQ citizens.
    I urge you and any others reading this message to join us onSunday. You can get all the details on our site http://www.cjc.ca Show no fear; Stand up and be counted.

    • Noah Gurza

      July 2, 2010 at 9:11 pm

      Bernie – I thank you for your leadership on this issue and your work inspired me to put this letter together and galvanize support. I spoke to Justine today and told her given I have over 750 members on the facebook site, I am using it as a platform to invite those members to walk alongside Kulanu on Sunday.. Please get in touch with me at ngurza@hotmail.com and how we can further work together. 

      Thanks
      Noah

  2. Harry Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    Its not my “world cup analogy”, just a response to your equating a call for an end to apartheid policies with calling for a country’s destruction. Yet South Africa wasn’t destroyed and that was never the intention of those who fought against apartheid. That fact is rather glaring with the World Cup in progress. It’s not an analogy just an observation of a fact that contradicts your analogy.

    But I now realize that South Africa is a terrible place for women and lesbians. I didn’t realize that before. Thank you for enlightening me. Doesn’t change the fact that ending apartheid was a step in the right direction. Or was it? Now you’ve got me confused. Help me out on that on.

    Don’t be so afraid. Not everyone who disagrees with you is a monster. They don’t hate you and they aren’t your enemy. They just disagree.

    • Melanie Nathan

      June 30, 2010 at 11:52 pm

      I have no problem with disagreement. Please check my articles and my usual kind and productive responses. I am tired am working really late. I would love to address your confusion and thank you for opening your mind the way you have done. That takes great courage and heart. So I will get back to you soon to further this answer. Going to sleep. Night Harry and thanks

  3. Harry Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    It’s not my “world cup analogy”, it’s your equating those who are against apartheid policies with paving the way for a country’s destruction. I’m merely pointing out that the analogy used is flawed because South Africa was never destroyed nor was its destruction the intention of those who called for apartheid to end. That fact is rather glaring while the World Cup is taking place. That’s not an analogy, its an observation of a fact that contradicts the original analogy.

    But I get it… South Africa is a terrible place, especially for lesbians and women. You’ve convinced me. Doesn’t change the fact that getting rid of apartheid was a step in the right direction. Or was it? Now you’ve got me confused. Help me out on that one.

    Don’t be so afraid. Some people just want the world to be a better place. They don’t hate you and they aren’t your enemies. They just disagree.

  4. Harry Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    It’s hard to have an intelligent discussion when you use foul language. Comes across as angry even though I’m sure you weren’t meaning to. I only thought that those who fought the hardest against apartheid in South Africa were those that cared the most, and I’m sure they were called a lot of nasty names as well, but no one ever said “destruction” was their intention. Still, I’m NOT the one equating the term “Israeli apartheid” with “paving the way for Israel’s destruction”. That’s a ridiculous analogy that shoots itself in the foot while the World Cup is being held. No one will take that seriously. It’s more embarrassing then it is effective. In soccer we call that an “own goal” so if you really want to help you should stop doing it. And to suggest “SA has the same social structure as it did when the apartheid government was there. Not much has changed for many people…” shows a distressing under-appreciation for basic fundamental human rights and the dignity of life as a legal citizen.

    • Melanie Nathan

      June 30, 2010 at 10:01 pm

      But there is no dignity nor Human rights on a level commensurate with the intention of South Africa’s Bill or rights. Take crime for example. Then take Homophobia as another. THen take rape as yet another. I have written about it many times on this site. In fact I called for a boycott of the World Cup on this site . When 15 women all from the same area in the same township are raped by different perpetrators, because they are lesbians, some of them for the 3rd time, and then huddle for safety in a 2 roomed flooded hut, with no government help under a constitution that speaks of equality for all; while a white woman raped in a suburb gets endless attention if she was lucky enough not to get murdered- then my friend you are so wrong- when you say “And to suggest “SA has the same social structure as it did when the apartheid government was there. Not much has changed for many people…” shows a distressing under-appreciation for basic fundamental human rights and the dignity of life as a legal citizen.”

      Give me a break HArry – When i did my rape article which i will reference here for you to read, I interviewed many people in SA – in government and in Police and Justice depts – and was told that Rape and also lesbian”corrective rape” was not under the radar for any special awareness projects or even attention by SA govt. Then you have Zuma sending homophobic ambassador to Uganda where they want to make being gay a crime punishable by death? Where are the free drugs for people dying from aids. What has your government done? Do NOT talk to me about airy fairy human rights. People should not have to suffer in the name of freedom and basic rights. How can you even suggest changing one for the other is okay?

      Sure now there is no pass law, no group areas act, terrorism act, banning etc. That is where the dignity has improved. That is great of course; but you have to do the rest of the job besides making good law – it must be implemented or its worthless.

      You were the one who made world cup the analogy – not me- I merely pointed out what a stupid analogy it was in the circumstances. – I stand by what I said. Please read these articles \

      http://lezgetreal.com/?s=corrective+rape

  5. Melanie Nathan Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    Rachel Wahba commented on your link: On Facebook

    “skewed…and speaking of apartheid states has anyone done any research into how the Jews of Arab lands who Pre-dated Islam by the way, were treated in most of those countries? and now they are Jew-free, Something even Hitler did not accomplish. they were waiting for Hitler to come and do it for them and the Grand Mufti of Palestine was very impatient with hitler for being not efficient enough!

    my family from iraq and egypt live in israel and were integrated although with many difficulties, as were jews from all over the middle east, no. africa, yemen, the soviet republic, and the Holocaust suriviors — as the state was just beginning. yes, there was a war and several waged by the arab states on israel —and people get moved and transferred in every single war. 800.000 jews were expelled with nothing they had to leave all assets and even photo albums behind and then integrated into israel. you tell me what other country managed to do this with jews who came in penniless into a poor country –and it was a very multicultural group with very different customs and level of modernity and the clash of cultures was hard, but they did it. so to think the palestinian refugees were not allowed to be a part of the many surrounding islamic states lends much much more to this story than our quick and easy party line of “apartheid” bad jews bad bad jews. …. to back to europe you bad israelis and hey baghdad and libya and egypt and tunisia and syria are waiting for you with open arms –and yes, your homes your saving accounts your photo albums are all there, waiting!!!! go home right ? disgusting, this “new” anti-jew hatred is the same old same old….” Cooment by Rachel and a Brilliant one at that because Harry et al – she has lived it as an Arab Jew from a side your ignornace will never understand or contemplate. Hopefully you have the cvapacity to hear some history and place things in a a more applicable context. (melanie)

    • Ryan

      June 30, 2010 at 5:38 pm

      Sarcasm (if that is what is intended) is very difficult to decipher over email. What is this post trying to say?

  6. Ryan Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    This is not the plea of all Torontonians. Many feel that there is room for diverse political opinions within pride… that free speech and diversity of opinion are essential elements of pride.

    • Bram

      June 30, 2010 at 7:15 pm

      free speech is always welcome, but hate speech in the form of calling Israel an ‘Apartheid State’ should never be welcomed in a community.

  7. Harry Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 9:55 am

    “Noah has asked for your support in his complaint to Toronto Pride which speaks for itself through his letter”… Most of this letter had been plagarized from Justine Apple and Bernie M. Farber’s editorial. Really “speaks for itself” huh? … “International pressure brought down apartheid’s racist oppression. Now, anti-Semites use these same tactics to soften up international public opinion and pave the way for Israel’s destruction.” – Totally illogical. When did the “destruction” of South Africa happen? It didn’t. The world put pressure on South Africa to change and it did and then things got better and today SOUTH AFRICA IS HOSTING THE WORLD CUP, not destroyed. Using the term “Israeli Aparthied” merely suggests a desire to see Israel one day host prestigous international events like the World Cup.

    • Melanie Nathan

      June 30, 2010 at 1:53 pm

      There is nothing good about South Africa right now nor different than apartheid except that everyone gets a vote. That place has become a hotbed of violence especially against women and the lesbian community. The World Cup is a MASK – its is no great feat! It masks the horrors of AIDS ignored, Lesbian “corrective” rape, the grand title to rape capital of the world. So Harry WTF are you talking about? The end of apartheid has nothing to do with the mess South Africa is in. However it has everything to do with the assholes who promoted sanctions against south Africa and then did not come back to reinvest to make it a worthy place for those who were willing to sacrifice for freedom. SA has the same social structure as it did when the apartheid government was there. Not much has changed for many people. AIDS got worse. Crime Got worse. How do you Harry define destruction?

      So stop throwing idiotic red herrings into a mix you know nothing about – clearly by your comments.

      I have never heard such a BS analogy in my life HARRY – I would rather NOT host a friggin world cup than be the mess SA is in and I would rather NOT host a world cup than have Jew Haters lobbying missiles at me from across the street. Get real …mel

  8. Bram Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 8:41 am

    Gus,
    Maybe if they would use a word like ‘occupation’ instead there would be less of an issue. But Elle and her group are not about compromise they are about dividing communities.

  9. Gus Black Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 5:27 am

    … and the only weapons are water-blasters!

  10. Gus Black Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 5:02 am

    “Why are we not seeing Gays for a Free Tibet?
    Gays for a Free Pays Basque? Or Gays for a Free Corsica march alongside drag queens and hot cops?”

    I would support ALL of those groups being in the Pride Parade!

    What you seem to be missing is that all of YOUR examples are about a minority being denied basic human rights by a larger dominating government.

    Palestinians are being denied basic human rights by the Israeli blockade, and as a queer man I AM ALLOWED to have the opinion that such oppression is WRONG!

    Get off your high horse, Noah, and face the fact that free queer people can be AGAINST something if they see it as an injustice … Criticizing Israel is not the same thing as hating it!

    In this case, it happens to be about Israel’s policies, but it could just as easily be China’s or Spain’s or France’s.

    If you really want to express yourself, put your own opinions on some signs, put on some sexy clothes and join in with the rest of the voices already competing for the attention of the crowds … after signing the City of Toronto’s policy on non-discrimination, of course.

    I’m sure the people on the street will be happy to give you your moment in the sun too. Even if they don’t all agree with you, you can still rest comfortably knowing that, after all is said and done, it’s just a parade.

  11. CanuckJacq Reply

    June 30, 2010 at 2:15 am

    OH FFS. Down with freedom of speech. You disagree? Protest back. It’s your right, Mr. 

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