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How the words “Israeli apartheid” got back into Pride Toronto

Wondering how it is that Pride Toronto officially backed down on its Israeli Apartheid ban?

Credit smart politics on the part of of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, coupled with the increasing alienation of many members of the LGBT community, something that was surging long before QUAIA was targetted.

QUAIA quickly connected with free speech activists and organized that key meeting at the 519 three weeks ago. QUAIA never backed themselves into corner by pushing only one response to Pride’s decision. They never insisted on a boycott, never pressured people to drop out. If anything, they were hoping Pride participants would bring the issues right to their stages. As a result of their openness and political maturity, they continued to build support, instead of pushing it away.

And they did it all on a shoestring budget – volunteer energy and about $200 for T-shirts.

Elle Flanders, of QUAIA, says it was a massive effort of both older and younger activists.

“We had effective political rallying and engaging with our own community. I know it sounds corny, but together we are strong. It was a massive effort. Basically we made it clear that we will not be bullied.”

Give some credit, too, to the reverend Brent Hawkes who, along with lawyer Doug Elliott and 519 head Maura Lawson, showed Pride another way. Pride’s backed down on its original plan to stop QUAIA from using the words Israeli Apartheid and, instead, is insisting that all groups participating in the Pride parade sign a statement saying they will uphold the city’s anti-discrimination laws.

As for Pride Executive Director Tracey Sandilands, you have to admit it takes some guts to admit you were wrong.

“We didn’t have all the information we needed when we made the original decision,” she says. ” We are concerned about all the people we will have let down by changing our stance, but we did not want the 30th anniversary of Pride to be all about Israeli Apartheid and everybody hates everybody. We want this to be a celebration.”

Flanders says the group will have no problem signing Pride’s agreement.

This means that when they fly their banners with the words Israeli Apartheid, they leave themselves open to a complaint from B’nai Brith, the group that originally pressured Pride to take action against QUAIA. That sets up the possibility of a fascinating legal hearing in which pro-Zionist groups will have to articulate exactly why the words Israeli Apartheid are anti-Semitic or, at least, discriminatory.

Sounds like a great example of free speech to me.

But, strangely, according to B’nai Brith’s Frank Diamant, the group will not be bringing a complaint.

“We’re disappointed in Pride’s recent decision,” he told NOW. “We thought the organizers acted courageously and that there wasn’t going to be any hurtful words that would cause tremendous pain to the Jewish community.

“But we don’t want to involve ourselves in a confrontation with the gay community.”

Sandilands, too, expressed surprise that B’nai Brith will not be following through.

“I guess it’s evidence that they weren’t prepared to take the city on,” she notes.[rssbreak]

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