It might seem like the ultimate plot twist: supporting a cause that might consider your very existence a criminal offence. Picture an online mashup of LGBTQ+ rainbows meeting conflict zones, like a unicorn trying to navigate a minefield in a disco ball suit. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, but humour, advocacy, and unexpected alliances sometimes create a rainbow-coloured chaos amidst serious situations.
Known for advocating for personal freedom, the LGBTQ+ community currently finds itself in a complicated relationship with groups that aren’t supportive of their ambitions and, if they had their way, groups that would seek the community’s destruction.
Look around at Palestinian rallies across the world, from New York to London, and you will see some members of the LGBTQ+ community present, waving their rainbow flags ‘in the name of Palestine’.
Hypocrisy aside, the security of these protestors should be a concern. Indeed, we have already witnessed some attending pro-Palestine rallies alienated by the rainbow colours before their eyes, snatching the flags before searching for the nearest dumpster.
The attempt of the LGBTQ+ community to find acceptance or support in a place like Gaza is ironic and confusing. It is Israel, not Palestine that stands for freedom, security, diversity and culture. It is Israel that does not criminalise people for being who they are. It is Israel that is home to a diverse, thriving LGBTQ+ community. It is Israel that hosts an annual LGBTQ+ parade and Israel that stands for democratic values and respect for human dignity.
What the LGBTQ+ community must remember is that not only are such rallies not taking place in Gaza, but it is a place where these acts are punishable by death. There is no annual Hamas pride parade much to the confusion of many of those party to the community marching against Israel.
The clash between the freedom of expression, which the LGBTQ+ community often advocates for, and the strict societal norms and laws in a place like Gaza reflects a stark and almost comical disparity in expectations and realities.
It is worrying that many LGBTQ+ leaders and groups have not spoken out against Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 07 targeting innocent civilians going about their everyday lives. This is especially the case as the reality for those living in Gaza who themselves are part of the community even before Hamas started this war is horrific, with people terrified to leave their homes and be their true selves.
In Gaza, Homosexuality is outlawed. Public displays of same-sex affection violate social and religious ‘norms’.
Unfortunately, campaigns for political freedom and expression, from the LGBTQ+ community to Black Lives Matter continue to weaponise Israel in order to gain further momentum, unaware of precisely what the other side actually stands for.
Progressives continue to believe, falsely, that Jews are somehow always the aggressors and that Arabs are always the victims. Such an entrenched belief and such rainbow-coloured Palestine flags ignore the very fact that if Hamas had their way, there would be no pride rallies and no LGBTQ+ community, only more butchering until their so-called objectives had been met.
Fortunately, some in the community understand what faces them when the curtain is pulled back, warning of the Palestinian aggression against Israel which is often fuelled out of jealousy of the freedoms Israel’s population are able to live each day with.
Over 1,400 with these rights have perished since October 07.