Radical Islam in your backyard: the quality of life enjoyed by gays and lesbians living in Western Europe has been threatened by an increase in radical Islamic immigrants. Is the United States next?(RELIGION)

Publication: The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)

Publication Date: 23-MAY-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 Liberation Publications, Inc.

Kristine Withers was feeling threatened by the Islamic Thinkers Society when she was arrested for getting into an altercation with the radical group in July 2004. The militants had become a weekly fixture on a street corner near her home in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of New York City's Queens, setting up tables and erecting signs with messages reading "Your terrorists are our heroes" and "Allah will destroy nations that allow homosexuality."

Since then the 43-year-old lesbian has had several run-ins with the group and has been admonished by authorities to be more tolerant. Indeed, Withers has been somewhat hostile. But that's what's needed, she argues, given the incredible threat the Islamic Thinkers pose to the well-being of the neighborhood's sizable gay and lesbian population. "They think they own the neighborhood, and the cops give them the attitude that they do," she says. "I'm very concerned."

After another altercation in January--during which Withers claims she was knocked to the ground--Withers was charged with disorderly conduct. In April the charges were dismissed. "For some reason the 115th precinct and local politicians turn their backs," she says. "They are afraid. And gay organizations? No response. It's all out of fear."

Withers's confrontations with the Islamic Thinkers may seem relatively minor, but they have brought major media attention te the presence of radical Islam in the United States and its impassioned and sometimes violent opposition to freedom of the press, women's rights, and homosexuality. When worldwide protests erupted over the publication of cartoons in Denmark...

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