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  • Peter Tatchell: There is nothing insulting about saying Allah, Jesus, Moses or Buddha is gay

    Human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell has hit out at those who suggest that the”Allah is gay” placards held up a Pride In London were insulting to some Muslims.

     

    Long-time human and gay rights advocate, Peter Tatchell has written an open letter to the organisers of Pride In London after a complaint was lodged by leaders at the East London Mosque.

    The leaders allege that some of the placards held up by the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) at the pride were “inciting hatred against Muslims”. On that basis, the leaders made a formal complaint to Pride In London. Organisers for the pride made an initial statement saying that they, “will not tolerate Islamophobia”.

    Mr Tatchell, who was one of the first organisers of the UK’s first pride in 1972, said,

    “The CEMB placards condemned “Homophobes, Islamists, racists.”

    “They supported LGBT Muslims and LGBT people fleeing persecution by Islamic states. One said: “End Islamic hatred and violence to gays.” Others highlighted UK mosques, such as East London and Green Lanes, that have hosted hate preachers who have endorsed or justified the killing of LGBT people.

    Nothing insulting about saying “Allah is gay”

    He continued, Some placards said

    “Some placards said “Allah is gay.” The factual basis of such a claim is questionable. However, since there is nothing wrong or shameful about being gay – and only gay sex acts (not gay people) are condemned in the Qur’an and Hadiths – there is nothing insulting about saying Allah, God, Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Shiva or any other religious figure is gay.

    A person would only say it was insulting if they were anti-LGBT.

    Tatchell went on to commend the actions of CEMB saying,

    “The CEMB’s placards against Islamic homophobia were entirely justified and commendable. We have to oppose Islamic homophobia in the same way that LGBT groups have long opposed Christian and Judaist homophobia.

    “None of the CEMB placards were against Muslim people. They did not incite hate against Muslims. They criticised homophobic religious ideas.”

     

    Calls to allow Ex Muslims to continue marching in future Pride In London events

    Peter also urged Pride In London to reject the complaints from the East London Mosque, saying,

    “I urge you to reject the complaints against the CEMB by the East London mosque and others. Instead, I urge you to ask them to explain why they refuse to have a dialogue with the LGBT community, refuse to publicly challenge homophobia within the Muslim community and why they refuse to publicly acknowledge and support LGBT Muslims”.

  • Pride In London: “We will not tolerate Islamophobia”

    A complaint has been lodged with the organisers of Pride In London over “Allah is gay” placards were allegedly displayed by members of a walking group in this year’s parade. Organisers of pride have issued a statement saying they will not tolerate Islamophobia.

    Muslim leaders in London have lodged a complaint with Pride In London after members of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain CEMB took part in this year’s parade. The group allegedly held up placards with slogans such as “F*** Islamic homophobia”, “East London Mosque incites murder of LGBTs”, and “Throw ISIS off the roof”.

    Speaking to the Evening Standard Salman Farsi from the East London Mosque said that a complaint had been made.

    “We’ve raised a complaint with the co-chairs of the event that the group was inciting hatred against Muslims, and in particular [in relation] to our good name, based on absolutely groundless reasons.

    “Our track record for challenging homophobia in East London is quite well known. For us to see such a mainstream event that is supposed to celebrate tolerance and love used as a hate platform was really quite shocking.

    “Our religion doesn’t promote hatred or homophobia. Yes, there might be theological topics dealing with homosexuality in Islam, but that’s clearly very separate from promoting hatred and homophobia.”

    A spokesperson for Pride In London said,

    “If anyone taking part in our parade makes someone feel ostracised, discriminated against or humiliated, then they are undermining and breaking the very principles on which we exist. Our code of conduct is very clear on this matter.

    “All volunteers, staff and parade groups agree that Pride celebrates diversity and will not tolerate any discrimination of any kind.

    “While our parade has always been a home to protest, which often means conflicting points of view, Pride must always be a movement of acceptance, diversity and unity. We will not tolerate Islamophobia.”

    CEMB Spokesperson, Maryam Namazie said in a blog post on the CEMB website,

    “…the very reason CEMB was at Pride was to combat hate and to highlight the 13 states under Islamic rule that kill gay men (14 if we include Daesh-held territories). We included placards on the East London mosque to bring attention to the fact that there are mosques here in Britain that promote the death penalty for homosexuality and apostasy.

    As ex-Muslims, we are at risk from hate preachers that speak at some mosques and universities; our  gay members are at an increased risk.

    The East London Mosque has a long history of hosting hate preachers who incite against blasphemers, apostates and homosexuals so we felt naming and shaming them was very apt.