Comments on: Palestinians in Israel reject Pride Week but offer alternatives

By: Matt Graber

Matt Graber — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:37:05 +0000

‘Al Qaws (The Rainbow)… was among the organizations that did not encourage its members to march in the parade. But Al Qaws did not ignore Pride Week – it provided an alternative.’

Why did you leave that in the text after Haneen said that this was not the relation of the alQaws event to Pride Week?

Though you may feel it’s commendable to give alQaws and Palestinian queers some press, you really should do so only after speaking with them, and using their terminology. This article is fraught with terminology that doesn’t recognize Palestinian experiences, and it strikes me as incredibly insensitive. Perhaps the article then serves as validation for your own perspectives.

By: Lisa Goldman

Lisa Goldman — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:37:37 +0000

You’re right, K9: You should let Ruth answer for herself.

By: Kolumn9

Kolumn9 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:58:11 +0000

Lisa, not to answer for Ruth, but you never know. Some might see the error of their ideas when presented with sufficient logic and proof that they are wrong. Others might be influenced by being pointed to how their own views of themselves by the other are divergent from how they are actually perceived by the same other. Yet others might be prodded by their persistently flawed predictions of the future to analyze whether their own underlying assumptions are valid.
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How is the glorious Egyptian revolution going for you? I am assuming that liberal democracy is just around the corner? Will its stallion be Mursi, Shafiq or the Muslim Brotherhood dominated parliament? Your prediction for the future carries a lot of weight with me.

By: Lisa Goldman

Lisa Goldman — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:43:23 +0000

Ruth, you come across as so bitter and nasty in your comments on this site. Why? Do you think you’re going to change minds and / or endear yourself to the contributors? More to the point, do you think you are making any kind of intelligent or worthwhile contribution? Hint: No, you’re not.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:41:03 +0000

Yuval, you come across so obsequious when dealing withPalestinians as per your exchange with the first poster. Why? Do you think they care about your pro-Palestinians bonafides?

By: Kolumn9

Kolumn9 — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:07:45 +0000

Gay Arabs in Israel openly hold an event. Yeah, certainly nothing in Israel is worth ccelebrating
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I read somewhere that the gay/straight dichotomy is a colonialist imposition on the Arab World. It is amazing how much of a blank canvass the Arab World was before colonialism. Like a blank slate.

By: AP

AP — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:38:02 +0000

Yuval,

I salute you for a great piece. I am a big admirer of your writing.

As a queer Palestinian citizen of Israel I feel understood, respected and heard in your reportage as well as commentary, from your ‘September Journey’, to the ‘December Journey’ , and ‘Round Trip’ (I especially liked your song: אני הומו שמאל וחופשי, Up to this piece.

I look forward to more in the future

By: Sinjim

Sinjim — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:55:27 +0000

Well, SF, you are quite wrong that there was no homoerotic Arabic language literature from the Middle Ages. The poet Abu Nuwas is perhaps the most prominent exemplar of the tradition from that era.
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Yuval, thanks for this article. It’s important to explore the intersectionality of oppression and human rights and dignity. Oh, and thanks for plugging Qadita and its Queer Texts Corner. It’s seriously one of the best Arabic language websites I’ve ever come across.

By: Yuval Ben-Ami

Yuval Ben-Ami — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:08:45 +0000

Thank you Sam. I made the correction.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:25:04 +0000

Yuval, the correct transliteration of Alaa’s last name is Hlehel or Hleihel, not Khalkhal.