Below is a statement by 4 queer Arab organizations in Beirut, Jerusalem, and Haifa condemning the USSF‘s decision to allow zionist propaganda group Stand With Us to present at the forum:

SAY NO TO PINKWASHING AT THE USSF!

We, the undersigned queer Arab organizations, are appalled by the US Social Forum’s decision to allow Stand with Us to utilize the event as a platform to pinkwash Israel’s crimes in the region. Stand with Us is cynically manipulating the struggle of queer people in the Middle East through its workshop entitled “LGBTQI Liberation in the Middle East”.

Helem’s theme for this year’s IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) is ‘Ana Shaz’ (I’m Queer). The word itself can be very controversial and upsets many people, but we have chosen to support all those who are considered queer/deviant by the governmental aspects of society. The queer community in Lebanon has chosen to stand in solidarity and on the side of sexual freedom in Lebanon.