The delusion of 'Gays for Gaza'

When activism becomes self-sabotage

There’s a level of absurdity in modern activism that would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerously out of touch with reality. Among the most baffling examples are groups like Gays for Gaza, Trans People for Palestine, and Queers for Palestine. These organisations proudly wave placards and chant slogans in solidarity with regions and ideologies that, if given the chance, would persecute them for simply existing.

In many Islamic societies, especially under hardline regimes like Hamas, LGBTQ+ people are not only unwelcome, they are criminalised, brutalised, and often executed. Homosexuality isn’t just socially unacceptable in Gaza; it’s punishable by death. Beheadings, public hangings, stonings, beatings, and being thrown from rooftops -these are not distant relics of the past. These are methods of punishment still used today in parts of the Middle East under fundamentalist Islamic law.

And yet, every other weekend in cities across New Zealand, TQ+ activists—many linked to the Green Part - gather to protest with signs declaring “GAYZ FOR GAZA.” They chant in support of a population governed by an Islamic regime that openly despises people like them. The irony would be comical if it weren’t so tragically misguided.

So what exactly are they supporting? The freedom of people whose leadership subscribes to an ideology that considers their identities sinful and deserving of death? Are they unaware that in the Quran and Hadith, same-sex relationships are condemned? Are they ignorant of the fact that in many Muslim-majority societies, queerness is met not with pride flags but with prison or worse?

This contradiction came into sharper focus after the October 7 terror attacks, when Hamas militants slaughtered Israeli civilians at a music festival and took hundreds hostage. In the wake of that atrocity, these same activists doubled down, pointing the finger solely at Israel, ignoring the barbarity of Hamas, and painting the Palestinian leadership as progressive freedom fighters. It’s a complete distortion of reality.

Standing up for innocent Palestinian civilians is one thing. But aligning yourself with extremist ideologies that are fundamentally and violently opposed to your very existence is not solidarity - it’s delusion. Worse, it’s a betrayal of your own community and the values you claim to represent.

This is political theatre, certainly not activism. It’s self-harm dressed up as social justice. And it does absolutely nothing to advance peace or human rights.

If you’re gay, trans, or queer and marching in support of regimes that criminalise and execute people like you, you’re not resisting oppression - you’re legitimising it. Real solidarity requires moral courage, not ideological blindness. It’s time activists in New Zealand confronted these uncomfortable truths instead of cosying up to causes that would never return the favour.