BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY: ‘Just Like That’ star Sara Ramirez has been facing people’s wrath online after they were spotted carrying a trans rights flag at a "free Palestine" rally in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
The 48-year-old actor, who came out as non-binary in August 2020, sported a keffiyeh -- a monochrome patterned scarf that is a patriotic symbol of Palestinian identity -- with a black North Face jacket and black cap as they joined thousands of protesters to march through the Bay Ridge neighborhood, the Daily Mail reported.
On Saturday, Ramirez also shared an Instagram story of the protest, showing the demonstrators chanting the age-old rallying cry, "Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea.”
The actor, who portrayed Che Diaz in the SATC revival, expressed gratitude to Qween Jean, a transgender costume designer who has spearheaded Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the past for organizing the Brooklyn march.
Qween Jean also shared footage of themselves leading the chant before panning to surrounding protesters including Ramirez.
Palestine’s history against LGBTQ community
Many people were left shocked after witnessing Ramirez waving the transgender flag at the pro-Palestinian rally as Amnesty International claims that the Islamic Middle Eastern state is not safe for the LGBTQ community.
In 2022, an Amnesty report noted how "authorities failed to prevent and investigate homophobic and transphobic threats and attacks" in the country.
"On July 9, 2022, security forces stood by and watched as a mob beat youths and children participating in a parade organized by Ashtar Theatre in Ramallah that included rainbow flags," the study added, citing an instance of homophobia in the country.
“The attack came amid a wave of incitement to violence and hate speech against LGBTI people and feminists that the authorities failed to investigate,” it continued.
Writing for the Washington Blade, gay rights campaigner and Israeli author Lior Halabi recently criticized what he called the "hypocrisy" of advancing both causes.
“Despite the dark situation for gay Palestinians who face legal and social abuse and even murder by Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, some US left-wing and LGBTQ groups bizarrely still support the Free Palestine group,” Halabi wrote.
“This group, while calling for Israel’s destruction, allows the abuse of its own LGBTQ people,” he continued.
Social media reaction
The images of Ramirez waving the transgender flag at a pro-Palestine rally have garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming them for supporting the nation despite their history of violence against the community.
“There are no gay pride parades in Gaza. LGBTQ individuals actually flee and request asylum to Israel. If they are found out, they face imprisonment or execution. Sara Ramirez apparently can’t even Google,” one user said.
“Someone, please explain to Sara hamas will kill anyone from the LGBTQ community. I have friends who are gay who suffered badly because of hamas,” the second user wrote.
“Sara Ramirez just gave everyone another reason not to like her. Stupidly supporting a cause and people that would stone her to death for being gay,” the third user asserted.
“I'm sure she thinks that's very sad, but she is more concerned about her social standing here in NYC,” the fourth user slammed, while the fifth stated, “They know they are safe at home. No way they would wave that flag in Gaza.”
“They’re ignorance is truly stunning,” another one wrote. “#sararamirez trying hard to be relevant even tho it's an awkward misguided cringe worthy relevant,” one more wrote.
