It’s not possible to be openly gay in Gaza
It's important to remember that Hamas is one of the proxies of Iran. The death penalty applies to homosexuality in Iran.
In a recent letter to The AJN, long-term gay rights advocate, Jackie Stricker-Phelps said she felt “horror” in seeing a “group of people calling themselves Queers for Palestine” on the Sydney Harbour Bridge march.
She pointed out “their lives would be in danger if they set foot into Gaza”. (AJN 08/08) Michael Barnett, in his letter in response to Stricker-Phelps, asserted that Palestinians are as “diverse as Jews” and “there are Palestinians who are tolerant of LGBTIQA+ people” (AJN 15/08).
Barnett’s reply misses the fundamental point. The issue is not whether individual Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank are tolerant of LGBT+ people. The issue is whether the legal, religious and cultural institutions of the Palestinian Territories enable LGBT+ people to live openly and safely alongside other citizens.
The bottom line is this. It is not possible to be openly gay, lesbian or transgender in Gaza or the West Bank. It is safe to do so in Israel. Gay Palestinian men cross into Israel and seek asylum as refugees for a reason. There is hope in Israel.
The Tel Aviv Pride March attracts over 200,000 people. The Tel Aviv LGBTQ+ Centre offers support to all Rainbow people. Such public inclusivity and openness is, sadly, unimaginable in the current Palestinian communities.
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