“Despite what the media says, there are gay Palestinians”
Since Hamas’ attack on Israel that killed more than 1,000 citizens and sparked a retaliatory “siege'' on Gaza that has killed many civilians in unrelenting air raids, queer Palestinians in Gaza have been posting messages to @queeringthemap, a community-generated digital map of queer experiences geotagged from across the world.
The Dyke Project, a London-based activist queer group took the action in response to what it calls “Israeli pinkwashing” and says that the Israeli government is using LGBTQ+ rights to legitimize violence against the Palestinian people. “We wanted to share the voices of queer Palestinians to remind our community that none of us are free until all of us are,” explains Jess Elliott from the Dyke Project. “We will not let our struggle be used to distract from the violent genocide of others.”
All the ads are accompanied by a message of solidarity: “The Queer community stands with Palestine. We call for an end to the occupation.”
Here’s a list of ways in which you can support LGBTQIA+ Palestinians:
This can include writing to your elected representatives, signing petitions like the US Ceasefire Form, and supporting political campaigns that promote peace and justice in the region. By using your voice to raise awareness about the issues facing Palestinians, you can help to bring about positive change.
- Join a protest – Check your local community for any demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Check the Palestine Solidarity Campaign for upcoming protests in your area. If you join a protest, make sure you know about your right to protest.
- Donate to local organizations supporting LGBTQI+ Palestinians – like alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, a civil society organization founded in grassroots activism.
Educate yourself about pinkwashing tactics employed to shift attention away from Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
Pinkwashing is an Israeli government propaganda strategy that cynically exploits LGBTQIA+ rights to project a progressive image while concealing Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies oppressing Palestinians. For decades, Israel’s colonial and apartheid regime has robbed, oppressed, ethnically cleansed, impoverished, imprisoned and killed Palestinians, queer and non-queer alike. As Israel’s far-right government allies itself with homophobic, intolerant and racist leaders around the world, there is growing awareness that queer and trans liberation cannot be separated from Palestinian liberation
Follow and share the stories, experiences, and calls for action from LGBTQIA+ Palestinians online.