Join ACT UP NY in emailing each of these organizations to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine and to reconsider their continued public silence, “neutral” responses, and/or inaction on the international call for a ceasefire in Gaza. See: ACT UP NY BDS

Dear (ORG HERE),

As a member of the queer community and an advocate for human rights, we’re deeply concerned about your continued public silence, “neutral” responses, and/or inaction on the international call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Two hundred fifty-two days into the genocide, after death tolls have risen to over 35,000 and the destruction of health facilities and hospitals by Israeli forces has led to disproportionate cases and lack of testing of/for HIV and AIDS. We urge (ORG HERE) to reconsider your silence. Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and condemn the genocide in Palestine.

Now, halfway through Pride, your organizational stance on protesting the threat of U.S. fascist censorship, gender affirming healthcare bans, Russian military occupation of Ukraine, suicide prevention, bullying, education/resource scarcity, and global disinformation campaigns against LGBTQ youth and adults is clear. Yet, your silence as an organization in the face of mass slaughter of Palestinian youth and LGBTQIA+ communities in Palestine comes across as support for genocide and as purposeful exclusion of Palestinian members of our community from your mission.

The LGBTQIA+ community’s struggle for justice and equality is deeply echoed in the Palestinian struggle for liberation. It is the duty of queer organizations and individuals to stand for the humanity of LGBTQIA+ Palestinians, who are being massacred in Israeli airstrikes regardless of gender or sexuality, and who are being denied life-saving HIV healthcare as Israeli forces destroy all functionality of hospitals, or disguise themselves as aid trucks in order to mass slaughter Palestinians supposedly in a safe zone.

When you stay complicit, you’re telling the world war crimes are okay. You’re telling the world it is okay for Palestinians to lose access to HIV testing/healthcare/medicine and reproductive justice. Your complicity ignores the mass of Jewish voices demanding a ceasefire, and affirms British colonial-era anti-LGBTQIA+ laws and oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community in Palestine. As an organization known for speaking up and fighting to change the world for better, whose foundation came through collective outrage against oppression, ORG HERE) must be held accountable. We’re calling on (ORG HERE) to refuse the Israeli pinkwashing narrative and proudly stand in solidarity Queer and Trans Palestinians.

By standing against oppression, advocating for peace, and recognizing the humanity of all Palestinians, (ORG HERE) will be standing on the side of oppressed queer people worldwide in the struggle for true equality.

Please, join us in the call to end the genocide in Gaza. It’s (ORG HERE)’s responsibility to us – the queer community you serve – to use the power you hold to advocate for our safety. This Pride, demand the US government fund healthcare, not genocide. Demand that the US stop arming Israel, and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Sincerely,

More Tips:

1. Be hard on institutions, not people.
2. Remember, a queer is reading this email (and they likely agree with us).
3. Elucidate your thoughts. Exercise your rhetoric. Try and be persuasive.
4. Remember, they take screenshots. DON’T BE SLOPPY.

About ACT UP

Founded in 1987, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. ACT UP currently meets every Monday night at 7PM ET via Zoom. Notes: you will be asked to contribute your first & last name and email address to access online meetings, and KN-95 masks are required for ACT UP NY in person meetings/actions/gatherings. All individuals are welcome!