30 years of a censorship-free Pride in Toronto has come to an end
- May 23, 2010 statement from Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
- Photo: Israeli apartheid wall cutting through Palestinian territories.
For the first time in its 30-year history, Pride Toronto has banned an LGBT community group from the parade. The board of directors voted on Friday to ban the words ‘Israeli Apartheid’ from any Pride events, including the Pride parade, dyke march, and trans march – directly targeting the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid.
This follows a year of intense pressure from Toronto City Hall (one of Pride’s main funders) and Israel lobbyists, who claim that criticisms of the Israeli government amount to hate and discrimination. By caving to their demands, Pride Toronto has not only silenced the voices of queer Palestinians and human rights activists —they have set a dangerous precedent for free expression in our community.
Whatever your politics, send a message to Pride Toronto that ALL communities deserve to be heard in our Pride.
Call their offices to tell them no censorship at Toronto Pride
Executive Director Tracey Sandilands: 416 927 7433 ext 222 tracey@pridetoronto.com
Director of Sponsorship & Grants Ryan Lester: 416 927 7433 ext 230 ryan@pridetoronto.com
Co-chairs:
Margaret Ngai: margaret-ngai@pridetoronto.com
Genevieve D’Iorio: genevieve-diorio@pridetoronto.com
Board member Mark Singh: mark-singh@pridetoronto.com
Sample Email
Dear Pride Toronto,
I am shocked by your reckless decision to censor free speech at Pride. This year is meant to celebrate 30 years of resistance and instead you have decided to make a mockery of our hard-won rights by banning an LGBT human rights group.
The ‘privilege’ to pick and choose who gets into the club is what denied us our rights for much too long.
My Pride is political! I know how I got here and I will not allow you to silence anyone. We are loud, proud and inclusive! That is what makes our community strong and vibrant.
Sincerely,
so called Israeli “apartheid” wall has only succeeded in diminishing the amount of death and violence on both sides. Who in the world would call it an apartheid wall? I applaud the Pride Toronto for seeing through the fake political agenda of this group, who is using the parade for their own political propoganda!
Commentaire par wendy — 1 juin 2010 @ 0:05Further to my comment which I just left, what I really wanted to say, is that I understand that the Gay Pride Toronto is striving to maintain a spirit of unity in this parade. I don’t think that either side of this issue should use the parade as a means of inciting hatred or of inciting misunderstanding.
Commentaire par wendy — 1 juin 2010 @ 0:28Further to my comment which I just left, what I really wanted to say, is that I understand that Gay Pride Toronto is striving to maintain a spirit of unity in this parade. I don’t think that either side of this issue should use the parade as a means of inciting hatred or of inciting misunderstanding.
Commentaire par wendy — 1 juin 2010 @ 0:29