To my queer community: You are failing your Jewish members
In the landscape of identity and activism, there comes a moment when peoples’ true intentions and unabashed biases are unveiled, revealing the stark incongruities within our own communities.
As a Jewish gay man, I can say this moment is now, and the battlefield is none other than the war-torn narratives surrounding Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, which has been the de facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007 when it ousted the Palestinian Authority from power (this is after Israel completely withdrew from Gaza in 2005).
Let’s cut through the noise: In the grand theater of activism, where the LGBTQ community has long demanded education, patience, and understanding on queer issues, it seems these courtesies vanish when the topic switches to Middle Eastern politics. “Apartheid!” they scream, from the comfort of their free societies, neglecting the fact that in parts of the Middle East, being queer isn’t just taboo, it’s a crime.
The stark parallels here are maddening. As queer individuals, we’ve spent lifetimes imploring others to look beyond black-or-white narratives. “Educate yourselves,” we’ve pleaded, “understand the spectrum, the stories, the struggles behind each letter of LGBTQIA+.” Yet, when it comes to Israel, a land teeming with stories as diverse as our own community, the rainbow lens suddenly flips to monochrome.
