@ Putin33:

I said I would answer your question but I needed some time to think on it. I've been thinking and I'm in a position to answer you.

To recap, you asked:

"I'm sure you withdraw any solidarity with the Arab resistance [to Israel] because they don't hold British views on gay rights, right?"

Having thought about this I can give you the following answer:

I support the Palestinian people in their struggle against the oppression of the Israeli state, whilst opposing the anti-gay stance of the Hamas administration.

Even people who discriminate themselves can be victims of oppression from others.

Is that a reasonable answer to your Palestinian question? I hope it is, but if not I'm happy to discuss further.


Moving on, you then asked me a second question, which was:

"Jamie, who stands in the way of US militarism in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin or liberal gay activist groups? ...Who is too busy demonizing Russia to care about people's lives?"

That is easier to answer. In general I respect and support the stance that President Putin has taken over the very difficult issue of Syria. He showed great skill as a diplomat and did well to expose the weakness of the US/UK position, which I have never agreed with.

When it comes to "caring about people's lives" I would say however that I care about *both* the lives of people in Syria *and* the lives of LGBT people in Russia and other places where they face persecution.

On the Syria issue, therefore, I commend President Putin. On the issue of LGBT rights, I condem him.

Does that answer your second question?