Pride Safe: Resources for Pride

Developed by Keshet in cooperation with A Wider Bridge

We hope that Pride will be peaceful with no one subject to harassment or any other type of mistreatment. And, given the rise in antisemitism in the past several months, we are reaching out to make sure you are aware that some Jews are apprehensive about their safety at Pride marches and other events this year. 

We are seeking your support and commitment to the safety of Jewish participants in Pride. Therefore, we have developed some guidelines to achieve that outcome. We ask you to implement these guidelines and share what is relevant with your marshals.

1. Support displays of Jewish pride. 

Jews have been excluded from Pride spaces for wearing a Jewish star, an ancient symbol of Jewish identity, bringing Pride flags with Jewish stars, or marching with other signs that display Jewish pride. We are asking our own marchers not to bring national flags (Israeli, Palestinian, American, etc.) given the volatile climate, but we do support them in marching with signs that show pride in Jewish identity. You can see examples here.

2. If safety personnel will be present:

Please brief them that they should respond to anti-Jewish harassment or violence according to agreed-upon protocols for any such behavior.

3. Train Pride marshals:
   Share relevant guidelines with Pride marshals and provide de-escalation training so they are equipped to reduce tensions.
4. Vet performers

In this tense political climate, it is more important than ever both to vet performers for the ability to speak respectfully to and about a diverse audience and to set clear expectations for performances at your event. Some guidelines and expectations that we have found helpful include:

• Assume diversity – we ask that all performers keep in mind that our community is vast and diverse in identities, lived experiences, and worldviews. Refrain from making statements that assume sameness, such as “we all know…” “we all believe…” etc.
• Focus on affirming community members. We ask that all statements and messages focus on uplifting and celebrating the people and identities being spoken of, rather than highlighting divisions or denigrating any group.
• Know your slogans. In addition to lacking nuance, relying on short, simple slogans that are not universally supported throughout the LGBTQ+ community introduces a real risk of hurt and misunderstanding. It is common for slogans to be understood very differently in different communities. For example, the slogan “From the river to the sea” is often understood by activists for Palestinian liberation to be a general call for action for rights and justice for Palestinians. However, for many Israeli Jews as well as American Jews, that slogan is understood as a call for the elimination of Israel and for the displacement or killing of any Jews who live “between the river and the sea.” By speaking in values and staying away from politically loaded slogans, deep pain and divisions can be more easily avoided.
• When in doubt, ask. The heightened environment that we are living in is designed to divide and weaken our community. Rather than assuming ill will or responding from a place of defensiveness, if something feels off to you or you are simply unsure, please ask in the spirit of curiosity, take in the information that is shared with you, and then respond. Conversely, if you are not sure how a particular phrase or approach will be received, reach out and learn more from your partners.

5. Do not allow gatekeeping of LGBTQ+ Jews

Do not use litmus tests to determine which Jews are welcome at Pride such as only permitting Jews with certain beliefs around Israel and Palestine (e.g., “only anti-Zionist Jews are allowed”).  All Jews should be welcome at Pride events.

Note that a common feature of antisemitism is assuming that all Jews represent and should be held accountable for the actions of the Israeli government; expecting that every Jew should be prepared to offer their opinions about Israel; and/or conflating critique of Israeli government policies and actions with global criticism of Jews, Judaism, Zionism, and Jews who hold any form of connection with Israel.

*According to T’ruah, certain acts and speech that utilize classic anti-Jewish tropes are antisemitic, such as:

• Using anti-Jewish tropes to describe Israel or Israelis
• Using the word “Zionist” as code for “Jew” or “Israeli,” or “Zionist Entity” rather than “Israel”
• Denying Jewish history
• Denying the humanity of Israelis
• Assuming that the Israeli government speaks for all Jews
• Demanding that Jews disavow Israel or Zionism