15/11/2024
There have been calls for more unity in the community after several groups were either denied marching permits or decided to pull out of Brighton and Hove Pride at the beginning of August. It seems that once again the conflict in the Middle East is drawing LGBTQIA+ people into opposing camps, sometimes to the detriment of our own community. The Jewish Chronicle newspaper reports that local group Jewish and Proud was refused permission to take part in the main parade, a move that was interpreted by many members of the group as a capitulation to anti-semitism in itself. On the other hand, an activist bloc called Queers for Palestine boycotted the main parade themselves, on the grounds that Brighton and Hove Pride should examine corporate sponsorship linked to Israel's policies. It seems that for the organisers of Pride in Brighton and Hove, there was no possible middle ground between the various factions. However, A spokesperson for the Sussex Jewish Representative Council told the JC: that the council “had has been positively engaging with Brighton Pride since last weekend. We are confident that there was no antisemitic intent on their behalf in their management of this year’s Pride.... “They have been open and transparent and acknowledged that they have more to learn about Israel, Zionism and their relationship to the local Jewish community. We look forward to working with Brighton Pride to identify and ensure local Jewish LGBTQI+ inclusion in next year’s Pride.” Another activist group, called Queers Against Anti-Semitism, challenged the pro-Palestinian factions within the LGBTQIA+ communities in a statement released for Pride in which they said "“Israel stands as a lone beacon of queer rights and equality in the Middle East, the only country with a Pride parade and protection for its LGBTQ+ citizens, both Jewish and Palestinian. Rather than reviewing relationships with companies operating in Israel, Brighton and Hove Pride parade should scrutinise relationships with companies operating in the 64 countries that criminalise homosexuality.” They added: “Pride must stand with the LGBTQ+ community against Anti-semitism and hate…Our shared history of facing discrimination and prejudice demands solidarity.” In the event, whilst there were Palestinian flags on the main Pride parade in Brighton and Hove, a good natured vigil was held by the Jewish and Proud group waving rainbow flags at the side of the march, with an enlarged yellow band, to remember people abducted and persecuted by the Hamas led government of the Gaza territory and also to make clear historical precedence in which gay, trans and Jewish people have all faced persecution from both far left and far right alike. The discussion within our community continues and shows no immediate sign of resolution.
