Fox News recently documented New Tolerance Campaign’s $1 million challenge to LGBTQ organizations such as Queers for Palestine to hold a pride parade in the Palestinian territories. Read the full report here.
The Post Millennial covered NTC’s project to offer $1 million to any non-profit that successfully conducts a pride parade in the Palestinian territories. Read here.
Washington, DC — The New Tolerance Campaign (@New_Tolerance) today announced the launch of a multi-city campaign offering $1,000,000 to “Queers for Palestine” or any U.S. LGBTQ advocacy organization to host a Gay Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank. “This isn’t a joke. It’s not a publicity stunt. Our offer is real,” New Tolerance Campaign (NTC) President Gregory T. Angelo stated. “For the past year we’ve seen so-called ‘Queers for Palestine’ and allied LGBTQ organizations insist that the Palestinian territories are ‘inclusive’ — well, here’s their chance to prove it. We’re willing to put our money where their mouths are to underwrite a Gay Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank.” NTC has secured commitments for the $1,000,000 prize which is being offered to potential Pride Parade organizers for the next six months. NTC attempted to publicize this campaign with full-page ads in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today — but all three newspapers declined citing “unsafe” circumstances as a consequence of publication. NTC advertising of our Challenge on billboard space in Times Square in New York City was similarly declined as we were told the buildings displaying the ad could become targets for violence. Starting today, September 16, mobile billboards will be circulating around Columbia University (116th Street and Broadway) in New York City, the headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave NW) in Washington, DC, and UCLA (405 Hilgard Avenue) in Los Angeles. The mobile billboards will be running through Wednesday, with the potential for additional dates to be announced. The campaign will also allow everyday Americans to send messages directly to the senior leadership of the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, the LGBTQ Task Force, and Advocates for Trans Equality encouraging them to actually fight for LGBTQ rights rather than taking a political stance against the only gay-friendly country in the Middle East, Israel. “This project highlights the lack of human rights for the LGBTQ community in Palestine, while noting LGBTQ people live freely in Israel. It also has the potential to be a breakthrough moment for pluralism and peace throughout the Arab world,” Angelo concluded.
This isn’t a joke. It’s not a publicity stunt. Our offer is real. The New Tolerance Campaign has secured $1,000,000 to underwrite expenses for an LGBTQ Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank! For nearly a year, “Queers for Palestine” and allied groups have insisted that Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are “inclusive” — here’s their chance to prove it. We started this campaign to contrast the lives of LGBTQ individuals in the Palestinian territories and Israel. It has evolved into a realization that achieving Palestinian recognition for LGBTQ rights could lead to true liberalization of the Arab world — and thus, eventually, peace. Right now, there is a clash of values between Israel and most of the Arab world. In Israel, gay people can live their lives openly, while the Arab world views them with disdain. Homosexuality is illegal in many Arab countries. The NTC $1,000,000 Gay Pride Parade Challenge holds the potential to awaken acceptance and greater tolerance in the Arab world. Starting Monday, September 16, mobile billboards will be circulating around Columbia University (116th Street and Broadway) in New York City, the headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave NW) in Washington, DC, and UCLA (405 Hilgard Avenue) in Los Angeles advertising our offer and encouraging Queers for Palestine (or any LGBTQ organization) to accept our challenge. An LGBTQ Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank would empower grassroots LGBTQ movements within Arab countries and work toward improving human rights for all. Please join us in urging LGBTQ advocacy organizations in the United States to take up our Challenge, make an unforgettable statement, and advance the human rights they purport to uphold. Send a message to U.S. LGBTQ leaders using the form at right. Additional links of note: Fox News Opinion: A Pride Month note to Queers for Palestine Rubin Report: Hezbollah Has a Brutal Message for “Queers for Palestine” Protesters “Queers for Palestine” receive a “reality check” following social media post Benjamin Netanyahu: “Gays for Gaza” is like “Chickens for KFC.” Jewish News Syndicate: The Paradox of “Queers for Palestine” New York Post: Gay IDF soldiers slam LGBTQ protesters’ ‘fake understanding’ of human rights: ‘Queers cannot exist in Gaza’ National Post: ‘You don’t know Hamas’: What gay Israelis think about anti-Israel protests New York Times Opinion: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage? New York Times: How Hamas Is Fighting in Gaza: Tunnels, Traps and Ambushes New York Times: Israeli Consulate to pull back presence at NYC Pride $1,000,000 CHALLENGE TERMS & CONDITIONS: Recipient group must be a recognized U.S. 501(c)3 organization Parade route must be at least 1 km (approx. ½ mile) Parade must have at least 200 participants 80% of participants must be Palestinian and from the West Bank or Gaza Participants must outwardly “show” LGBTQ Pride (carrying rainbow flags, trans flags, wearing full leather outfit, dressed in drag, etc.) Parade must take place in a major public street At least half of parade signs must be in Arabic Parade must be filmed by NTC Offer expires on March 16, 2025 Email info@newtolerance.org to apply
