Contrary to
reports, IGLHRC will not boycott World Pride in
Jerusalem

Officials at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission are denying a report in Boston's Bay Windows newspaper that they are boycotting this summer's World Pride celebration set to take place in Jerusalem. In addition, IGLHRC has "not yet made a decision of any kind related to our participation in World Pride," said executive director Paula Ettelbrick. "Over the last 10 months, the board and staff have been actively engaged in gathering information, soliciting viewpoints from our colleagues around the world, talking directly with Jerusalem-based organizers, and debating among ourselves to determine the scope of the organization's participation in World Pride. No decision about the scope of that participation has been made." The column in Bay Windows cited part of a memo sent by the commission's International Advisory Committee soliciting feedback. "The columnist did not speak to anyone at IGLHRC to clarify where the organization was in its decision-making process," Ettelbrick said. "It appears that readers of his column were left with the erroneous impression that IGLHRC had decided to boycott World Pride in Jerusalem and/or had made a final decision not to participate. The e-mails and phone calls in response to the column make it clear that we needed to publicly clarify our position." (Advocate.com)