Edmonton Pride Allows Group Critical of Israel

After being banned from Toronto Pride, the group known as Queers Against Israeli Apartheid marched without incident in Saturday's Edmonton Pride Parade.

The Edmonton chapter of QuAIA launched two weeks ago, following the Israeli military attack on a Gaza aid flotilla ship. Although Edmonton Pride allowed QuAIA to march, they were warned that the festival was a "family-friendly" event.

At the parade, marchers carried banners that read "There's no pride in apartheid" and "Free Palestine."

"As queers, we have a responsibility and a great ability to be great activists as far as recognizing oppression and standing up against it no matter who it's directed at," Jess Warren, coorganizer of Edmonton QuAIA, told the Canadian news source Xtra!

Joe.My.God reports that an American contingent of QuAIA may join in New York's gay pride parade.

Read the full story here.