NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress and the pro-Israel LGBTQ organization A Wider Bridge will co-host a special discussion on October 26, 2017 on the exclusion of Zionism from the LGBTQ discourse and community. LGBTQ n' Z: A Conversation About Pride, Zionism, and Inclusivity was conceived of following a contentious summer of Pride events across the United States, where marchers carrying rainbow flags emblazoned with the Star of David were shunned, physically and verbally accosted, and excluded.
Matt Nosanchuk, Former Associate Director of Public Engagement and the White House’s liaison to the American Jewish community, will open the event as keynote speaker, followed by a discussion with experienced LGBTQ-Zionist activists moderated by Slate journalist Mark Joseph Stern.
The speakers include Nadiya al-Noor, a Muslim pro-Israel campus activist; Tyler (Tye) Gregory, Deputy Director of A Wider Bridge, the LGBTQ organization focused on advancing equality in Israel and for Israel; and Assaf Weiss, Former Senior Advisor to Israel's Minister of Health and Member of the World Jewish Congress-Jewish Diplomatic Corps.
WJC CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer said:
”After decades of LGBTQ Jews fighting for full inclusion in Jewish spaces, LGBTQ Jews now find themselves fighting for inclusion in LGBTQ spaces, with repeated challenges from BDS activists seeking to co-opt the LGBTQ and progressive movement in America.
“This phenomenon must end – it is time to bring Zionism back into the LGBTQ discourse and to demand that a movement that thrives on inclusivity not exclude its members over their support for the State of Israel,” Singer said.
Registration for the Manhattan event is open through October 25, or until maximum capacity is reached. For more information or to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-n-z-pride-zionism-inclusivity-tickets-38729897165
