Strange Bedfellows
 

A Letter to the Editor of the New York Times
Submitted April 2, 2005 (9 Adar II 5765) for consideration

"Strange Bedfellows"
by Warren J. Blumenfeld

In Israel, in what can be viewed as an extraordinary
action, leaders from three major world religions, often
at odds with one another_-Christianity, Judaism, and Islam_-
joined in a united demonstration to protest and prevent a
10-day international Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) pride festival planned for Jerusalem in August
(New York Times, March 31, 2005). While the Middle East
has been a flash point of conflict and warfare for millennia,
this coalition between religious leaders indicates that agreement,
at least of sorts, is possible. In bringing these leaders together,
I, therefore, nominate the International LGBT Community for the
2005 Nobel Peace Prize, an award well deserved for converting
warring parties into allies and for reducing tensions that have
traditionally separated them.

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld
Assistant Professor
Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
wblumen@iastate.edu
515.294.5931 office
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