HRC Concerned About Attempt to Block WorldPride Festival

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NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
E-mail: hrc [at] hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org
_________________________________

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 31, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 431-7608

Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 716-1637

HRC CONCERNED ABOUT ATTEMPT TO BLOCK WORLDPRIDE FESTIVAL

"We are deeply saddened that faith leaders are missing an opportunity
to
highlight the teachings of love and justice of their faith traditions,"
said HRC's Joe Solmonese

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today expressed concern over
statements made by religious extremists about the upcoming Jerusalem
WorldPride Festival. The GLBT pride event, attended by thousands from
around the world, will be held in Jerusalem in August 2005. Led by
southern California evangelical Christian pastor Rev. Leo Giovinetti,
extremist representatives of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths
demanded that the festival, themed "Love without Borders", not be
allowed to be held in the Holy City.

According to the New York Times, a Muslim Sufi sheik was quoted as
saying: "We can't permit anybody to come and make the Holy City dirty.
This is very ugly and very nasty to have these people come to
Jerusalem."

"We are deeply saddened that faith leaders are missing an opportunity
to
highlight the teachings of love and justice of their faith traditions,"
said incoming HRC president Joe Solmonese. "Members of the GLBT
community are drawn to Jerusalem because of its central place in their
own religious commitments. They come seeking a connection with the
sacred. It is our hope they will be met with enlightened wisdom."

According to Rabbi Jack Moline, such cooperation among these three
major
religions, particularly in the Middle East, is highly unusual. Though,
he also noted that the statements come from extremist ends of the
religious groups that usually save such invective for each other.

"Scripture affirms that all people are created in God's image. Members
of the GLBT community -- whether active in their religious communities
or still seeking faith -- should be welcomed as pilgrims, not
demonized," said Rabbi Moline. "I am heartened that religious leaders
worldwide are more faithful to the celebration of human diversity than
these few espousers of prejudice."

The WorldPride festival, planned to be held August 18 - 28, 2005 in
Jerusalem, started as InterPride in Boston, MA in 1982. The
organization
was started to promote gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride on
an international level. Since then, festivals have been held in several
international cities, including Rome, Auckland and Glasgow.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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