No pride in the conformity of hate!

The LGBTQ movement, once a genuine and necessary fight for inclusion, has accomplished monumental goals over the past several decades. At its heart, it sought the right for individuals to live freely, love who they love, and express their identities without fear of judgment or violence. Through a long struggle, the LGBTQ community overcame historical stigmatization, legal persecution, and widespread social marginalization, achieving milestones like the decriminalization of homosexuality, marriage equality, and broader recognition of transgender rights.

Yet, in its modern iteration, this once-noble cause has evolved into something far more complex and, at times, troubling. The LGBTQ movement’s push for inclusion has in some cases morphed into a demand for ideological conformity, undermining the very tolerance it once sought to champion.

Growing up, being called “gay” wasn’t just an insult—it was one of the most stigmatizing labels a young boy could receive. I experienced this personally, losing friends and distancing myself from people I cared about, simply out of fear of being associated with something society deemed unacceptable. Back then, the word itself had power—power to isolate, shame, and even dictate who we could or couldn’t be seen with. For a long time, I hardened against the idea, seeing it through the narrow lens of protecting my own image. But as the world began to change, so did my understanding.

As the gay rights movement gained momentum, I began to see the humanity behind the labels. It wasn’t just about a fight for recognition; it was about dignity, fairness, and the simple right to live without fear or shame. Over time, I found myself defending LGBTQ rights—not out of obligation, but because I truly believed in their cause. I wrote articles, included LGBTQ themes in my projects, and stood up for them, whether in conversations at Shabbat dinners or in public settings like at a film festival I spearheaded. It became a point of pride for me to be considered an ally, fighting for the rights of humanity. For I hoped that the community would one day care for my life.

In the mid-20th century, the LGBTQ community was viewed not only as “other,” but often as criminal. Homosexuality was legally and socially treated as a mental disorder, with LGBTQ individuals subject to harassment, imprisonment, and violence. Advocacy groups like the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis led early efforts to fight these oppressive laws, beginning a push toward greater societal acceptance.

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 marked a turning point in this fight for equality. Police harassment at a gay bar in New York City sparked these protests, and they quickly became a rallying cry for LGBTQ rights across the US and Canada. In the decades that followed, the movement gained momentum, working to decriminalize homosexuality, shift public perception, and build visibility in mainstream media.

By the early 2000s, the LGBTQ community had made significant strides. Marriage equality was achieved, anti-sodomy laws were overturned, and LGBTQ individuals became far more visible in media and entertainment. The movement’s key goals—legal equality, social recognition, and safety—were largely realized.

However, with these successes came an expansion of the movement’s agenda, and what was once a push for equality has, in some areas, begun to mirror the very intolerance it fought against. The shift is most evident in controversial debates over gender identity, transgender rights in sports, and the politicization of the movement.

Take, for instance, the debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports. While the inclusion of transgender individuals is rooted in a desire for equality, the decision to allow biological males to compete against biological females has sparked a fierce backlash. Many argue that this undermines decades of progress in women’s sports, where female athletes fought for the right to compete on equal footing. The biological differences, especially in terms of strength and speed, create an unfair playing field, leaving women at a disadvantage. Yet, those who raise these concerns are often labeled as transphobic, with little room for thoughtful discussion or debate.

A similar dynamic is unfolding in schools, where the push for inclusivity has led to the promotion of gender identity discussions at younger and younger ages. Many parents are concerned—not because they oppose LGBTQ rights, but because they believe such complex topics are being introduced prematurely, leading to confusion rather than understanding. Here too, dissent is frequently met with accusations of intolerance.

The LGBTQ movement has increasingly demanded that society adjust its language to be more inclusive, insisting on the use of gender-neutral pronouns and new terminology to reflect diverse gender identities. While this push for inclusive language seeks to foster respect, it has also led to rigid expectations where failure to comply is often met with accusations of bigotry or intolerance. Ironically, the same movement that champions these changes sometimes disregards the freedoms of others, whether it’s freedom of speech or differing cultural and religious beliefs. By enforcing a one-sided standard of inclusivity, they often silence those who hold alternate views or choose not to conform to these linguistic demands, creating an atmosphere where only one narrative is acceptable.

Perhaps the most troubling shift in the LGBTQ movement is its increasing alignment with political causes that seem at odds with its foundational values. The rise of groups like “Queers for Palestine” is a striking example. LGBTQ activists protesting against Israel—a country that guarantees LGBTQ rights, allows Pride marches, and ensures freedom for the community—while simultaneously supporting regimes that actively persecute and execute LGBTQ individuals, reflects a profound hypocrisy. These activists vilify Israel, the one Middle Eastern nation where LGBTQ individuals can live freely, while supporting factions that deny them the very freedoms they claim to fight for. This alignment undermines the credibility of the movement and raises serious questions about its priorities.

The attacks on Israel on October 7th only heightened this contradiction. LGBTQ individuals, including those in Israel, were among the victims. Yet, a powerful voice of the LGBTQ movement have aligned themselves with groups that espouse violence against Jews and the LGBTQ community alike. How can a movement that claims to fight for human rights side with those who deny the right to exist to entire groups of people, including members of its own community?

The modern LGBTQ movement increasingly promotes a culture of victimhood, where young people are encouraged to view themselves through a lens of perpetual oppression. This mentality fosters division and erodes the values of mutual understanding and respect. Schools and workplaces now enforce rigid ideological frameworks, where any disagreement with the LGBTQ agenda is not tolerated. This stifles open debate, creating an environment where dissent is punished and conformity is required.

Inclusivity has paradoxically given rise to exclusion: those who express differing opinions, even in good faith, are labeled as bigots or haters. The LGBTQ movement, which once fought for freedom and tolerance, now finds itself at odds with the very principles it once stood at the forefront for.

It is crucial to distinguish between supporting LGBTQ individuals’ rights to live freely, safely, and authentically, and endorsing the movement’s more radical, politicized trajectory. When the push for equality turns into a demand for conformity, it risks alienating not only its opponents but also its own supporters. The movement needs to return to its original principles of inclusion, mutual respect, and human dignity.

True inclusivity means creating space for different perspectives and open dialogue, not enforcing rigid ideological dogma. The LGBTQ community’s fight for rights remains important, but it must remain grounded in justice, fairness, and respect for others’ views if it is to succeed in building a truly inclusive society.

The movement can still course-correct. It must once again become a place where people can come together, discuss differing opinions, and build bridges across divides. Only by returning to its roots of equality and tolerance can the LGBTQ movement ensure that its legacy remains one of progress, rather than division.