New York LGBT Center Takes Side of Anti-Semites

NEW YORK, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gay adult entertainment entrepreneur and Advocate.com columnist, Michael Lucas, is calling for a boycott of New York's LGBT Center.  On Wednesday, the Center made the deplorable decision to cave to an anti-Semitic hate group whose goal is the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel, "Queers Against Israeli Apartheid."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110526/NY09827 )

"Everyone who believes in the state of Israel, please stop any support for the Center," said Lucas.  "Please stop your financial support, please stop meeting there.  Do not ally yourself with evil."

By harboring the group that stands for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, the Center becomes an accomplice to the aims of a group that would directly harm Israeli men, women, children, the LGBT community, the elderly and the over 200,000 Israeli Holocaust survivors.  

Many in the gay community are baffled by this abrupt flip flop in the Center's earlier decision -- in response to huge pressure from supporters -- to ban the anti-Israel group Siege Busters from renting space on its premises.  

In March, the Center was planning to allow a "Siege Busters" gala and fundraiser.  Under pressure from the LGBT community, they reversed course and permanently banned the group, saying the group was "not LGBT focused" and "distracted from the Center's mission".

Now the Center has been hoodwinked by Siege Buster's members, who merged with "Queers Against Israeli Apartheid."

"Make no mistake, these are the same exact people with the same anti-Jewish aims," said Lucas.   "We are profoundly disappointed in the Center's leadership, and their betrayal of the values of the gay community."

If the LGBT Center wishes to remain consistent in its policy of moral relativism, it will need to open  its doors immediately to other hate organizations that cleverly append the word "queer" to their names, such as:

"Queer Neo Nazis"
"Queers for Al Qaeda"
"Queers for Ahmadinejad"
"Queers for Prop 8"
"Queers Against Gay Adoption"

Lucas says those opposed to the Center's decision do not object to people criticizing Israel or any government.  What they do object to is referring to Israel as an apartheid society.  The term is inaccurate and an intentionally hate-loaded term.  Its use is an anti-Semitic slur; and the Center is condoning and facilitating anti-Semitism when it hosts a group named "Queers against Israeli Apartheid."

The Center, which relies on city, federal, foundation and private funding, is jeopardizing its financial future through its support of an anti-Israeli hate group.  

Lucas suggests that donors to The Center are to re-distribute their generous support to other organizations who put the interests of the LGBT community above those of fringe political groups.

"There are many wonderful organizations that meet the vast and diverse needs of the LGBT community, and our number one priority is supporting critical services to the people who need them," said Lucas.

SOURCE Michael Lucas