Statement of Solidarity with the Queer Palestinian Call for Action “IGLYO Out of Israel”

 

Statement by the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Society

Palestinian queer activists from Al Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, Aswat — Palestinian Gay Women, and PQBDS (Palestinian Queers for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) have issued a joint statement on June 1st 2011 calling on organizations, groups and activists to tell the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization, IGLYO, to reject Israeli government funds and to relocate its General Assembly out of Tel Aviv, Israel.

CSBR is an international solidarity network, striving to promote sexual, bodily and reproductive rights as human rights in Muslim societies across the Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia.  In our core values, we recognize that sexuality cannot be disentangled from systems of power politics and domination in society.

In light of the Palestinian queer call for action, and as members of the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies, CSBR, we cannot stand “neutral” towards Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid policies, and violations of international law.

We join the campaign to urge IGLYO’s member organizations and board of directors to move their General Assembly out of Israel, and stop being active participants in Israel’s multi-million dollar ‘pinkwashing’ campaign, “which aims to re-brand Israel as a haven for queers while drawing attention away from its crimes against the Palestinian people.”

In Solidarity,
Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies
Nasawiya — A Feminist Collective (LEBANON)
Muntada — The Arab Forum for Sexuality, Education and Health (PALESTINE)
GaYa NUSANTARA (INDONESIA)
Women’s Health Foundation (INDONESIA)
Helem — Lebanese Protection for LGBTIQ (LEBANON)
Pilipina Legal Resources Center (PHILIPPINES)
Meem — A Community of Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer & Questioning Women and Transgender Persons (LEBANON)
Aahung (PAKISTAN)
Vision (PAKISTAN)
WWHR, Women for Women’s Human Rights (TURKEY)


This statement was published on the Nasawiya Web site on 8 June 2011; it is reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.




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