This story is on a number of news sites, thought it may be of interest seeing as similar threads have been posted to previous homophobic comments made by Galloway's henchman.
Adam Yosef
Galloway activist urges: assault Tatchell
Respect party member stirs homophobia, violence and xenophobia
London - 17 January 2006
A leading member of George Galloway's Respect party, Adam Yosef, has urged violence against human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
He has denounced Tatchell as a "hate-mongerer"; listing him as one of Britain's top three "Hate-Filled Bigots". The other two bigots Yosef names are Nick Griffin of the BNP and Muslim fundamentalist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed.
The astonishing attack was made by Adam Yosef in his column in the Asian weekly entertainment newspaper, Desi Xpress, on 6-12 January 2006 (copy below).
His article advises readers to violently attack Tatchell, stating that he (Tatchell) "needs a good slap in the face".
In a naked appeal to homophobia and xenophobia, Yosef goes on to urge Australian-born Tatchell and his "queer campaign army" to "pack their bent bags and head back to Australia".
Mr Yosef has a history of homophobic outbursts in Desi Xpress. In a December issue of the newspaper (Issue 42), he ridiculed same-sex civil partnerships: "Hmmm...gay weddings... Gay people and commitment?
I don't think so... They'll be shagg*ng the neighbours before they even cut the cake. Bad idea I'm afraid. Great way of evading tax though..."
As well as being a prominent member of Galloway's Respect party, Yosef has done press and PR work for Respect leaders like Salma Yaqoob and Dr Mohammed Naseem. Dr Naseem is also Home Affairs spokesperson for the Islamic Party of Britain, which advocates the death penalty for homosexuality and the banning of gay organisations. Mr Yosef is a leading light in the Stop The War Movement, and has worked with the Socialist Workers Party.
"This is a new low for members of Respect and the Stop the War Coalition," said Aaron Saeed, Muslim Affairs spokesperson for the gay human rights group OutRage!
"Equating an anti-racist like Peter Tatchell with a racist like Nick Griffin is sick. It shows the dishonesty and opportunism that now characterises George Galloway's Respect party," continued Mr Saeed.
"Peter has been involved in almost every anti-racist campaign for 35 years, and he was active in the anti-apartheid movement for 20 years.
"Inciting violence against Peter is not only brings shame and
dishonour to Respect, it is also a criminal offence.
"Telling Peter to get back to Australia echoes the racist, xenophobic language of the BNP. They are always telling Asian people to 'go back where you came from'.
The insult concerning Peter's "bent bags" is unabashed homophobia.
"Taken together, the headlines, content and tone of Mr Yosef's article is likely to stir up hatred against Tatchell and put him at risk of violent attack.
"There is not a shred of evidence to suggest that Peter is
"hate-filled" or a "bigot". On the contrary, his human rights work involves challenging hatred, prejudice, discrimination and violence against all communities.
"Peter has a long and proud record of defending the Asian and Muslim communities against prejudice and racism. He was actively involved in Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League.
"We call on Respect and the Stop The War Coalition to condemn Adam Yosef's incitement to homophobia, violence and xenophobia, and to expel him from their organisations. There can be no place in a
progressive movement for people who encourage homophobia, violence and xenophobia.
"We urge Desi Xpress to publish a full apology to Peter Tatchell and to carry an interview with him about his work for universal human rights.
"Yosef freelances for BBC Online and BBC Birmingham. We hope the BBC will cease employing him. His encouragement of homophobia, violence and xenophobia is incompatible with the BBC’s commitment to equality and diversity.
"There is a clear conflict interest over what Yosef has written. The main reason he appears to have attacked Tatchell is because Tatchell has criticised Yosef's party, Respect, over its links with Dr Naseem, who is one of Yosef's former clients.
"There is a clear conflict interest over what Yosef has written. It appears the main reason he has attacked Tatchell is because Tatchell has criticised Yosef's party, Respect, over its links with Dr Naseem, who is one of Yosef's former clients.
"This violates journalistic ethics, whereby writers are supposed to declare their interests.
"Moreover, Yosef is wrong to say that Peter Tatchell 'believes the likes of George Galloway and Salma Yaqoob are homophobes.' Peter has never made any such claim. It is dishonest and mischievous for Mr Yosef to make these false allegations," concluded Mr Saeed.
Copy of Adam Yosef's article, Desi Xpress, 6-12 January 2006
www.desixpress.co.uk
Jan 6th - Jan 12th 2006 DesiXpress | 19
COLUMNIST Adam Yosef
HATE-FILLED BIGOTS
VILE
PETER TATCHELL
Who is the toss-pot?
Controversial Peter Tatchell, nearly 54, heads radical gay
organisation Outrage!
What's he do?
Self-appointed Australian-born 'representative' of the UK gay
community even though most gays don't agree with him or like him and his whining. Generally attacks religious institutions and likes
getting beat up...
Who does he hate?
Religious folk, 'fundamentalist' Muslims (which is how most of the devout identify themselves), anyone who may not agree with all of his w*nk views.
What's the hate-mongerer up to?
Currently accusing the Stop the War Coalition, a peace umbrella organisation, of supporting right-wing extremist Muslims. He believes the likes of George Galloway and Salma Yaqoob (who describes herself as a fundamentalist) are homophobes and has accused Dr Naseem in Brum
of the same. Is believed to spread proaganda to counter the Respect party. Claims to be a member of the Green Party after leaving Labour.
What sh*t does he rant?
"Gay venues could be bombed by Islamic terrorists. All gay bars and clubs should introduce bag and body searches. Muslim fundamentalists have a violent hatred of lesbians and gay men. They believe we should be killed." Also waffles on about Muslims being given more political voting cred than gays and upset the black community by claiming Malcolm X was gay.
What others say:
"It can be argued that over the years Ken Livingstone's record on empowering Gay and Lesbian Rights is more impressive than Peter Tatchell's, which frankly, at times, has been more self-indulgent than effective." - Member of LGBT Muslim group Imaan. Another member described Outrage! as "racists".
Verdict:
Needs a good slap in the face to help him figure out what he stands for and whom he represents. Maybe he should attempt arresting Mugabe again, that would be worth seeing...
Time he realised his craving for attention will not in any way help the gay community and so him and his queer campaign army should pack their bent bags and head back to Australia...where hate and racism seems to be back in style.
Respect party member stirs homophobia, violence and xenophobia
London - 17 January 2006
A leading member of George Galloway's Respect party, Adam Yosef, has urged violence against human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
He has denounced Tatchell as a "hate-mongerer"; listing him as one of Britain's top three "Hate-Filled Bigots". The other two bigots Yosef names are Nick Griffin of the BNP and Muslim fundamentalist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed.
The astonishing attack was made by Adam Yosef in his column in the Asian weekly entertainment newspaper, Desi Xpress, on 6-12 January 2006 (copy below).
His article advises readers to violently attack Tatchell, stating that he (Tatchell) "needs a good slap in the face".
In a naked appeal to homophobia and xenophobia, Yosef goes on to urge Australian-born Tatchell and his "queer campaign army" to "pack their bent bags and head back to Australia".
Mr Yosef has a history of homophobic outbursts in Desi Xpress. In a December issue of the newspaper (Issue 42), he ridiculed same-sex civil partnerships: "Hmmm...gay weddings... Gay people and commitment?
I don't think so... They'll be shagg*ng the neighbours before they even cut the cake. Bad idea I'm afraid. Great way of evading tax though..."
As well as being a prominent member of Galloway's Respect party, Yosef has done press and PR work for Respect leaders like Salma Yaqoob and Dr Mohammed Naseem. Dr Naseem is also Home Affairs spokesperson for the Islamic Party of Britain, which advocates the death penalty for homosexuality and the banning of gay organisations. Mr Yosef is a leading light in the Stop The War Movement, and has worked with the Socialist Workers Party.
"This is a new low for members of Respect and the Stop the War Coalition," said Aaron Saeed, Muslim Affairs spokesperson for the gay human rights group OutRage!
"Equating an anti-racist like Peter Tatchell with a racist like Nick Griffin is sick. It shows the dishonesty and opportunism that now characterises George Galloway's Respect party," continued Mr Saeed.
"Peter has been involved in almost every anti-racist campaign for 35 years, and he was active in the anti-apartheid movement for 20 years.
"Inciting violence against Peter is not only brings shame and
dishonour to Respect, it is also a criminal offence.
"Telling Peter to get back to Australia echoes the racist, xenophobic language of the BNP. They are always telling Asian people to 'go back where you came from'.
The insult concerning Peter's "bent bags" is unabashed homophobia.
"Taken together, the headlines, content and tone of Mr Yosef's article is likely to stir up hatred against Tatchell and put him at risk of violent attack.
"There is not a shred of evidence to suggest that Peter is
"hate-filled" or a "bigot". On the contrary, his human rights work involves challenging hatred, prejudice, discrimination and violence against all communities.
"Peter has a long and proud record of defending the Asian and Muslim communities against prejudice and racism. He was actively involved in Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League.
"We call on Respect and the Stop The War Coalition to condemn Adam Yosef's incitement to homophobia, violence and xenophobia, and to expel him from their organisations. There can be no place in a
progressive movement for people who encourage homophobia, violence and xenophobia.
"We urge Desi Xpress to publish a full apology to Peter Tatchell and to carry an interview with him about his work for universal human rights.
"Yosef freelances for BBC Online and BBC Birmingham. We hope the BBC will cease employing him. His encouragement of homophobia, violence and xenophobia is incompatible with the BBC’s commitment to equality and diversity.
"There is a clear conflict interest over what Yosef has written. The main reason he appears to have attacked Tatchell is because Tatchell has criticised Yosef's party, Respect, over its links with Dr Naseem, who is one of Yosef's former clients.
"There is a clear conflict interest over what Yosef has written. It appears the main reason he has attacked Tatchell is because Tatchell has criticised Yosef's party, Respect, over its links with Dr Naseem, who is one of Yosef's former clients.
"This violates journalistic ethics, whereby writers are supposed to declare their interests.
"Moreover, Yosef is wrong to say that Peter Tatchell 'believes the likes of George Galloway and Salma Yaqoob are homophobes.' Peter has never made any such claim. It is dishonest and mischievous for Mr Yosef to make these false allegations," concluded Mr Saeed.
Copy of Adam Yosef's article, Desi Xpress, 6-12 January 2006
www.desixpress.co.uk
Jan 6th - Jan 12th 2006 DesiXpress | 19
COLUMNIST Adam Yosef
HATE-FILLED BIGOTS
VILE
PETER TATCHELL
Who is the toss-pot?
Controversial Peter Tatchell, nearly 54, heads radical gay
organisation Outrage!
What's he do?
Self-appointed Australian-born 'representative' of the UK gay
community even though most gays don't agree with him or like him and his whining. Generally attacks religious institutions and likes
getting beat up...
Who does he hate?
Religious folk, 'fundamentalist' Muslims (which is how most of the devout identify themselves), anyone who may not agree with all of his w*nk views.
What's the hate-mongerer up to?
Currently accusing the Stop the War Coalition, a peace umbrella organisation, of supporting right-wing extremist Muslims. He believes the likes of George Galloway and Salma Yaqoob (who describes herself as a fundamentalist) are homophobes and has accused Dr Naseem in Brum
of the same. Is believed to spread proaganda to counter the Respect party. Claims to be a member of the Green Party after leaving Labour.
What sh*t does he rant?
"Gay venues could be bombed by Islamic terrorists. All gay bars and clubs should introduce bag and body searches. Muslim fundamentalists have a violent hatred of lesbians and gay men. They believe we should be killed." Also waffles on about Muslims being given more political voting cred than gays and upset the black community by claiming Malcolm X was gay.
What others say:
"It can be argued that over the years Ken Livingstone's record on empowering Gay and Lesbian Rights is more impressive than Peter Tatchell's, which frankly, at times, has been more self-indulgent than effective." - Member of LGBT Muslim group Imaan. Another member described Outrage! as "racists".
Verdict:
Needs a good slap in the face to help him figure out what he stands for and whom he represents. Maybe he should attempt arresting Mugabe again, that would be worth seeing...
Time he realised his craving for attention will not in any way help the gay community and so him and his queer campaign army should pack their bent bags and head back to Australia...where hate and racism seems to be back in style.
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
Actual article and News Links
19.01.2006 02:48
Peter Tatchell is attacked by Adam Yosef in Desi Xpress
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell
So you can figure out who he is and what's been going on, see:
NEWS LINKS:
'Gay groups attack Asian columnist’s ‘homophobia’' - Katie Coyne, Press Gazette
'Outrage at lack of respect for gay campaigner' - Pink News
'Galloway activist urges: assault Tatchell' - Outrage News Service
'Outrage at lack of respect for gay campaigner'
By Marc Shoffman - Gay Link News
'The witch-hunt against Adam Yosef' - Martin Sullivan
Our Party -
UK Gay news -
'RESPECT activist: "Tatchell needs a good slap in the face"' - Harry's Place
'Peter tatchell attacks Muslim journalist!' - Indymedia UK
'Tatchell joins 'attack' on Desi Xpress journo' - Gay.com
'British Muslim journalist attacks Gays!' - Indymedia US
'Muslim journalist attacks Gays - please complain!' - Indymedia UK
Profile: Adam Yosef -
Profile: Peter Tatchell -
""WEDDING BASHER SAYS SORRY"
A columnist on an Asian newspaper has been forced to retract homophobic comments he made about gay marriage by the group Gay Action Media Watch.
In the entertainment tabloid Desi Xpress, based in the Midlands, journalist Adam Yosef wrote: "Hmmmm... gay weddings... Gay people and commitment? I don't think so...
"They'll be shagging the neighbours before they even cut the cake. bad idea I'm afraid. great way of evading tax though..."
He has now apologised and said he didn't intend to sound homophobic.""
- Page 4 - 'Pink Paper', Issue 891, 12 January 2006
Yeah, and then he decided to thrust into full-on homophobic mode for the following issue... The apology is lame and blames the readers - see: www.desixpress.co.uk
No apology for Peter Tatchell comments.
REQUEST: Does anyone have a bigger image of Adam Yosef, useful for publication and royalty or copyright free? You have to pay quite a bit to get a larger copy of the above image from News Team.
Birmingham Central Mosque don't have any images on their site www.centralmosque.org.uk although he is listed as their PR rep. BBC won't release any images, saying copyright don't belong to them. Not going to try Respect or SWP, for obvious reasons. All pics on web too small. If you have any, please post.
GW
The RESPECT coalition is in crisis!!!
19.01.2006 03:44
Find out what everyones been talking about over the past few weeks!
Plese feel free to add in your comments at the above link so that we can work through the policies of these groups and formulate a solution.
Uncle Joe
More bullshit from Tatchell
19.01.2006 11:36
Nothing in the article by Adam Yosef quoted above seems homophobic - he even quotes from a Gay Muslim group attacking Peter Tatchell and saying that Ken Livingstone has done more for LGBT rights.
The reference that Tatchell needs a good slap is clearly metaphorical in meaning and in context not meant to be taken literally, "someone needs to tell Tatchell, if he claims to be on the left, that he needs to sort out his ideas". Outrage issuing press statements saying that Adam Yosef is inciting violence against Peter Tatchell is pretty infantile
Petros Tatchellos
Plague on both your houses
20.01.2006 09:56
However, the earlier articles by Yosef do show an underling homophobia which has always been an unchallenged element within Respect.
But Tachell has always been a close ally of the Trotskyist group AWL, who from their Zionist standpoint have always attacked Galloway (most famously in a libel battle). Tatchell and his Allies have gone out of their way to concentrate on attacking Islam in a rather dodgy manner.
Scawen
e-mail:
scawenb@yahoo.co.uk
Image of Adam Yosef
05.03.2006 23:51
DaveUAF
Respect official response
09.04.2006 18:17
"Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:33:52 +0000
Respect - the Unity Coalition"
To: "GayAction MediaWatch"
Subject: Re: Bham Muslim journalist controversy...
Please find below the response from Respect to stories circulating at
the moment, some of which you refer to in your email.
Adam Yosef has the right to voice his own opinions in his own column –
they range from an ecstatic review of Birmingham’s gay pride [see link
and story below] to venting his thoughts about Peter Tatchell.
This latter article is written in the kind of aggressive, satirical
style that is unfortunately characteristic of much of the medium of
weblogs and web commentary.
While Tatchell is entitled to take offence, it is misleading to claim
he is being threatened by a ‘hate-filled bigot’.
There is very real homophobia and anti-gay violence in British society.
Respect will continue to oppose it and seek the unity of everyone who
faces discrimination in a common battle for equality for all.
Respect National Office"
This has been posted twice. It was removed by Indymedia for some unknown reason. This is not a made-up response, it is a real email and so I have this time provided the dates and time of when it was received from the respect office. I hope that helps.
If it must be censored, please explain why. Thank you.
Gay Action Media Watch