As per the media release below, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has spoken out about the hate and bigotry perpetrated by Carl Paladino (who acted it in conjunction with Ultra Orthodox Jewish leaders in New York), against gay men and women.
I call on the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) in Victoria to speak out and support the Anti-Defamation League in their criticism of Carl Paladino and anyone else who sends a similar message of hate and intolerance, especially in our community.
Paladino’s attack on gay men and women in New York is an attack on all gay men and women, including those here in Victoria, Australia.
The ADC claims it has no authority to speak out on homophobic hate when it is targeted at Jews. I genuinely believe this is an act of cowardice. If the organisation was genuine in its care about Jews in Victoria, especially gay and lesbian Jews, it would take a stand. If it remains silent on this issue it will confirm to all that it is does not take the issue of hate and discrimination seriously.
The ADC aims to serve the Jewish and wider Australian community by reducing antisemitism, and combating racism and religious and ethnic prejudice. We seek to secure justice and fair treatment for all people.
This is matter of human rights. The ADC must speak out immediately. As an arm of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, the ADC must act in the best interests of all members of the Jewish community.
We are appalled by Carl Paladino’s comments denigrating homosexuality and suggesting that a homosexual lifestyle is not “valid.” His statements are an affront to all New Yorkers, and are particularly disturbing in light of several recent hate crimes targeting the LGBT community in the New York Metropolitan Area.
We have repeatedly urged all candidates to refrain from appeals to prejudice and bigotry. Such appeals are offensive, counterproductive and contrary to our nation’s democratic values.
Earlier this year, ADL urged our national leaders – and candidates – to commit themselves to restoring civility to our public discourse. We renew that call today. A truly effective candidate is one who engages in thoughtful and reasoned debate and rejects divisive and hateful rhetoric. That is an essential ingredient of leadership.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ADL neither supports nor opposes candidates for political office.
This entry was posted on Thu, Oct 14th, 2010 at 12:19 am and is filed under Humanity.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.