Pride Community Parts Ways Over 'Apartheid'

It's so heartening to see the queer community take a stand for all the good stuff--free speech, justice, truth, human rights and, oh, yeah, the Big Lie. From queer rag Xtra:

The seams are beginning to unravel as queers — angry about Pride Toronto's decision to ban the term "Israeli Apartheid" — begin to organize a parallel program of events.

Sasha Van Bon Bon, sex advice columnist and leader of burlesque group The Scandelles, and fellow activist Jess Dobkin are skipping the Dyke March on Saturday, July 3rd in favour of leading the Take Back the Dyke March. It's a protest against Pride Toronto and its decision to censor the messaging in the parade of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA).

"I cannot do that Dyke March, nor can my colleagues," says Van Bon Bon.

"I think a lot of people will be boycotting Pride the organization this year, and for good reason," says queer/trans activist Ayden Scheim. "I think it's important to instead support community-based, non-corporate events that are happening over the week."

On Monday, June 7, the newly formed Pride Coalition for Free Speech will host a community meeting at the 519 Community Centre to discuss plans for alternatives to Toronto Pride's lineup of events...

Meanwhile, the press release for Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's Queer Pride 2010 fest — billed as a community-driven "alternative to Pride" — appears to be a direct rebuke to Pride Toronto as it welcomes "communities who will not allow themselves to be censored."...

Hey, why can't there be two parades--one featuring Van Bon Bon and "Israeli Apartheid," and one without them? I think it would be most fitting, because the former would be kept "apart" from the latter, thereby demonstrating the meaning of the term (since there's none to see in Israel).