Michael Lucas on the Israeli Flag at Gay Pride

[William769]

Just as it takes courage to be an out gay person in this world, so it takes strength of character to proclaim an Israeli identity. In the case of both gays and Israelis, not everyone is self-confident enough to stand up to ignorance, stereotypes, and hatred.

But, astonishingly, this coming June in Berlin, we will see an example of self-loathing literally on parade. A delegation from Tel Aviv is planning to march in that city's pride events, yet this gay Israeli group doesn't have the balls to carry an Israeli flag. To avoid the jeers of Israel-bashers and anti-Semites, they've decided to leave behind flags and other symbols that would call attention to their national identity.

It's both ironic and pathetic.

Ironic because, when it comes to what pride is all about, there's no better symbol than Israel. It's the Middle East's one safe nation for LGBT people — a place where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish gay people are able to live with rights and dignity. On the other side of its borders and throughout the rest of the region, homosexuality is illegal and punished with humiliation, imprisonment, and death.

http://www.advocate.com/Society/Commentary/Michael_Lucas_on_the_Israeli_Flag_at_Gay_Pride/

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. michael lucas is a joke. nt

[closeupready]

3. Agree.

nt

[closeupready]

2. He's a piece of work, IMO.

There is another bar rag out this week where he states (to paraphrase from memory) that it's good that there's a Jewish homeland but that he is also against Islam because religion is toxic. :wtf: Oh, and if I recall correctly, that he also believes that being anti-Israel is, in the modern world, an acceptable form of 'anti-Semitism'. :crazy: :eyes:

His films might be enjoyable, I can't say I recall seeing any which were specifically 'Michael Lucas' but he definitely seems Republican to me, and the parallels with Ayn Rand, who - like Lucas - fled an oppressively anti-Semitic Russia, are striking to me.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. he is a right wing racist nutcase.

it is really a testament to male privilege that he is taken seriously. if this had been a rightwing woman porn star, she would have been laughed out of every public arena by now

[closeupready]

5. He sure sounds like that. If I can find the other interview, I'll post it. And

your other points are spot-on, as well.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. He is correct in some regards.

" Oh, and if I recall correctly, that he also believes that being anti-Israel is, in the modern world, an acceptable form of 'anti-Semitism'."

For some, it is an expression of anti-Semitism. Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic, but, sometimes, it is. When anti-Semitic canards are used to describe Israel or a simple "substitution" takes place (switching "Israel" for "Jew), then it can be anti-Semitic.

As for the article, I find it sad that Israelis can't bear their flag along with other international groups because of bigotry against Israel (which is also not always anti-Semitic, but rather a form of bigotry known as "regionalism").

[closeupready]

7. Sometimes it is, I will concede that point, yes.

And yes, Israelis should feel comfortable carrying their flag, and if poetic justice would be served well, in Germany especially.

I really want to find the follow-up interview I read, because his responses were internally dissonant, to my reading, but maybe I misread it. That is, if you support your own religion, you can't fairly condemn other religions solely on the basis that "religion is bad and always has been". That should be self-evident, but of course, I may be remembering incorrectly. I promise to come back when I've found it.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. I look forward to it.

It may not be a case of internal dissonance if he is remarking about Jewish "ethnicity." However, I see lots of cognitive dissonance when it comes to religion anyway, so I don't but much thought into it.

[William769]

8. It's an abomination that people here are ridiculing the author

and not paying attention to the message.

Not a good day here in the GLBT forum IMHO.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. then post the same article by someone less ridiculous.

a rapid homophobe could have a good message about XYZ social issue, i would still mock the homophobe. the messenger does matter.

[William769]

11. Thanks for playing have a nice day.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. oh please, if a virulent homophobe had posted something of worth

you would have dismissed it the same way,

lucas is a racist and does not belong in this forum

[Malikshah]

13. Thanks for that. Lucas is on OutQ with Derek and Romaine

regularly and comes across as an arrogant, Islamophobic asshat without fail.

His Hasbara-style piffle is not helpful for any meaningful discourse.

Douche-like arrogance is as douche-like arrogance does.

[closeupready]

14. The article with him is in the April edition of Get Out! of the house magazine.

When I get time (I have it here), I am going to post some excerpts, but I'm not prepared right now.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. his comments on african americans are terribly racist too