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Petition against Time Out Magazine 10 June 2009 To: Editor of “Time Out” Tel-Aviv Magazine Eatie Waldman, editor@timeout.co.il Issue: Front page of the special edition for Pride month, 4-11 June 2009 We were shocked to see the celebratory front page of the special edition of Time Out Tel-Aviv for the Pride week. We do not see any pride in the front page that depicts Muslims performing prayer under the caption: “You see here a threat, we see here an opportunity”. Even though the magazine pretends to be open minded, it did not reduce the deep disgrace we felt when seeing the image or reading the article, which is explicitly racist, violent and even homophobic. The editorial choice to use this particular image for the front page suggests total ignorance and racism. Your celebratory front page mocks and humiliates Islam and Muslims by sexually objectifying their prayers, and it disseminates racist and violent messages. In this image, on the one hand, Islam is portrayed as a “threat”, a religion and people we must fear from and be repulsed by; on the other hand, the Muslim men praying are sexual objects. Such representation would not have been accepted if it was humiliating other religions. If such representation was of Jewish people, there would have been, rightfully, a storm of strong resistance. The title of the front page suggests that violent, vulgar and disturbing sexual acts are “opportunities”. Opportunities of what, we ask? “To fuck Islam”? “To fuck Muslims”? Is it because “they are a threat”? Or they are “exotic”? Is this an opportunity to “fuck” the “enemy” and stab them in the back as they pray? Is anyone who turns their back an “opportunity” for rape? In addition, the representation and reduction of gay men as seeking sex in any opportunity, and with anyone, is humiliating and homophobic. It suggests the ones who should be feared are gay men, who are portrayed as sexual abusers and violently manipulative. Pride week supposedly symbolizes the LGBTQ community struggle for equal rights, acceptance of the other. We protest the magazine’s use of the Pride weeks as a platform for racist and homophobic statements, mocking of the other, and promoting violent sexual objectification. All of this is shown in a sophisticated and glossy image and article which doesn’t promote any justice or tolerance. We believe in the value of freedom of speech, and occasionally we amuse ourselves with humour and satire. We are not aiming at censoring anyone from expressing their opinions. Your choice of this image, as a celebratory front page, shows bad taste, confusion of values, and cultural insensitivity. The message of the image was racist, violent, and ignorant. These messages contradict Pride week’s goals. They are harmful to a point where a public apology from you is necessary. Signed: LGBTQ, feminist and human rights organizations in Palestine/Israel: Al-Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society; Aswat- Palestinian Lesbian Women; Isha L'Isha- Feminist Center in Haifa; Kayan- Palestinian Feminist Organization; LGBTQ Group In Tel-Aviv University; Women Coalition for Peace; "Red-Pink" Forum – the Gay Group of the Arab- Jewish Socialist Party; "Tehela"- Parents of LGBTQs; The Hebrew Support Line for LGBTQ Community; "Dror" shelter for young LGBTQ in Crises; and many other LGBTQ, political and social activists. For more information please contact: Haneen Maikey, Director Al-Qaw for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society Email: info@alqaws.org, Cell: +972-54-4898062