The Worlds most Bigoted Country.

[Danny Boy]

Are objecting to the new Danish envoy, because he is Gay.
This is the country that is hosting many Porn Satellite Channels, the country that is supported by Jerry Springer, the country whose supporters (that run the American TV studios) are flooding American television with shows rife with homosexuality, cross racial marriages and promiscuous behavior.
And yet a man who is in a loving relationship is being vilified, Why am I not surprised.

[who won]

I am able to take inference from your post that you are clearly referring to Israel.

It seems you have your wires firmly crossed as from everything I have read the issue of his homosexuality is not an issue for Israel at all. (unless you're happy to tar an entire country after finding at best one or two isolated quotes from one or two religious zealots)


From reports I have read, it is the contrary, he is facing significant intollerance from the christian fundamentalists at home in Denmark.

He has been formally welcomed by the Israelis, he himself says that he is certain that he will be welcomed in Israel and the israeli government approved him as the next Danish Ambassador when it was very clear about his marriage situation.


Denmark is an extremely liberal country, and so is Israel, but with both countries there are some not so liberal lets say. The protests against him in Denmark do not make Denmark any less liberal.

[justin]

DB

How would this gentleman fare in any middle eastern Arab country?

[who won]

I'll answer that for you Justin

Gays from Palestiine flee TO Israel for safety.

A reasonably recent story from the BBC - Civil rights campaigners within Israel are trying to prevent the deportation of a man who has been living illegally in Israel, however if he returns he fears for his life.

He had been arrested and tortured by Palestinian police because of his sexuality after escaping from Palestinian police custody, his own family tracked him down and tried to kill him, so he ran away to Israel.

In the West Bank and Gaza, it is common knowledge that if you are homosexual you are necessarily a collaborator with Israel.

Thas from 6th march BBC



Story from June 7th BBC site about a Gay Pride march through Jerusalem and Haifa. While the Ultra Orthodox Jews are of course Bigots just as most religious groups are, and were denouncing it, there were less than 50 protestors, with over 4000 participants. Marchers were holding signs such as Free Condoms and Free Palestine.

And Tel Aviv gives many of the same benefits to Gay Couples as available to Married couples. Thats from a Reuters story on July 31 and the quote below is from the same story.

"With this act of recognition, Israel has come closer to the liberal policies of nations such as Canada and Holland."


Now its not a perfect country in that respect of course, even in Denamrk as already pointed out by this very same thread, Gays can face protests, as the new Danish Ambassador to israel did face protests at home, I dont doubt you could find my occurences of anti gay protestations from some 'bigotted Israeli' but as far as this issue goes, Israel is very liberal and in major cities Gays face no problems. In comparison, virtually all of its neighbours live in a different age.

Israel should actually be applauded - Its amazing that surrounded by such religious bigotry one country could be so free thinking.

By the way, openly Gay men and women can and do serve in the army,

and again from the bbc Nov 2002 story in the BBC

Israel gets its first openly Gay MP - "Despite fears that ultra-Orthodox MPs would disrupt the ceremony, 61-year-old Uzi Even was appointed without incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is also said to have congratulated Mr Even on his appointment".

So, it seems that you should probably detract that accusation about Israel, at least with regard to this particular topic.

[Srrh]

DB,

To be honest, I'd rather be a Lesbian (I'd be good too) in Israel then in Syria, Sudan or many other places...Israel has its faults, no doubt, but I don't think sexual discrimination is one of them...especially compared to its neighbours...
Of course I am not talking about religious bigots here...I am talking about Israel, the secular state...

I have a couple of Israeli friends (as you might know by now), and they are some of the most tolerant people I know. They're pro gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-legalisation etc...
Of course, they're also some of the least religious people I know...

So here you have it...every time the pope says something stupid from his balcony in Rome (which is quiet often), you don't think Italians are the most bigoted country on earth...why should you when it comes to Israelis ?

Srrh