Alas, it's too good to be true. But the campaign - apparently inspired by the 1963 March on Washington - even has a website. Anyway, enjoy the revealing satire of what American celebrities could do to stand up for the values they believe in:
IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE, AND IN HARMONY WITH OUR GAY MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE FIRST MARCH TO MECCA, FEBRUARY 14, 2007
Human Rights Watch, Moveon.org, ACT-UP, the Huffington Post and David Geffen are proud to present the March to Mecca, a celebration of peace that calls all gay brothers, sisters and people undergoing sex-reassignment to march to the holiest of holy cities, Mecca, the capital city of Saudi Arabia's Makkah province on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2007...
"Not marching in these countries, in this era of terror, seems cowardly," says event co-organizer Sharon Stone. "I'm embarrassed to say at social gatherings I even blamed the United States for everything. But I realized it's the radical Muslims - not the US - who want gays dead, and for that I am truly sorry."
Paris' gay Socialist Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who was stabbed by an immigrant Muslim, is organizing the European contingency which features Limahl, Johnny Hallyday and Ciccolina. Whoopie Goldberg, along with Robin Williams will be hosting the kick off party at the Sheraton Riyadh. There will be refreshments and karaoke, hosted by David Hyde Pierce...
"Think about the two teenagers convicted of homosexuality who were hanged in Iran last year," says Harry Shearer, "It makes all the hay we made over Mark Foley at the Huffington Post seem stupid. I, for one, am tired of being part of the problem."
The March to Mecca will snake through the sandy, sunny valley of Abraham, and it is urged that you pack sunblock and plenty of bottled water. "Don't forget to blog!" adds co-sponsor Arianna Huffington. After the march, Rep Barney Frank of the U.S. House of Representatives will host a special VIP rave on the Queen Boat, a floating disco on the Nile. Hugh Jackman will perform hits from "The Boy From Oz."
They forget, of course, that they're not allowed into Mecca. And thus the March to Mecca should not only be about gay rights...
I am a muslim who is transsexual and I am offended by this march. First it is false to say that "homosexuals" are discriminated aginst in the Islamic World. That is not the whole truth. There are as many homosexuals in the Islamic World as there are in the non-muslim world. They just would not identify with US/western gay culture.
Furthermore the assumption that I as a transsexual would be discriminated against due to Islam is false. In IRAN while you are all complaining about those boys who were convicted for RAPING a younger boy...Please also mention the significant fact that in Iran it is OK to be a transsexual. That the ringhts of transsexuals are respected in Iran. Then ackowledge that the recognititon of those rights is not automatically homophobic. (For not all transsexuals would be "homosexual transsexuals").
I would like for you all to see the following links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexuality_in_Iran>Wikipedia: Transsexuality in Iran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhannathun Wikipedia:Munkhanthun "Efeminate men accepted within the bounds of Medina and Mecca
Lastly I would like to say that if anyone should do this it should be GLBT muslims and when the time is right. All any of this could do is mess up what GLBT muslims have...acceptance not in some closet.. but in ways that are in accord with Muslim cultures and values.
As sallam-ul-lakium
Posted by: Hontas Farmer | December 24, 2006 at 11:48 PM
This is a joke, its also very much false. I lived most of my life in saudi arabia, and for you who think you'd get into saudi arabia's borders for a simple march then think again. Its virtually impossible to enter the country without a business visa and a residents permit. Let me also point out that Saudi Arabia is the gayest of all gay countries in the world. Since there is a severe social separation of males and females, there is a huge percentage of homosexuality. So my friends, Saudi Arabia is every gay mans paradise. So stay home Sharon Stone!
Posted by: george | December 26, 2006 at 02:20 PM
XP
I see that now. However the very fact that glbt people so often want to pick on Islam as being the religion that oppresses them. Perhaps I am a bit sensitive.
As george pointed out there is plenty of homosexuality, and transsexuality in the Muslim middle east. The culture is just so different that often westerners cannot recognize it when they see it.
Posted by: Hontas Farmer | January 01, 2007 at 05:30 PM
i am transgender (by american terminology) and i went to the masjid to talk to the Imam about me feeling like a women born into a mans body. he told me that for me to feel and identify wit the women even though i am male, classifies me into a "third gender" and it is not haram for me to be as a women and not haram to be mukhannas. if it is in my heart that im really a women then it is my responsibility to follow the fiqh of a muslimah. God will judge us for our intentions.
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