Socialist NYC councilwoman Tiffany Caban claims ‘queer liberation’ is tied to ‘Free Palestine’
Socialist Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Caban bizarrely claimed at a Pride Month celebration that “queer liberation means ‘Free Palestine!’” — infuriating some LGBTQ+ and Jewish people.
The speech from the co-chair of the City Council’s LGBTQ+ caucus was met with cheers at Queens College’s Pridefest, according to sources. But others questioned what the 36-year-old Caban was thinking.
“One wonders how Caban ties queer liberation with calls for the establishment of a country that would have the death penalty for LGBTQ people,” said one outraged Jewish New Yorker.
Queens College, which has a 30% Jewish undergrad population, has a history of antisemitic incidents, including hateful “F–k Israel” and “Jews Suck” graffiti on campus in the months following Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The Pridefest event was meant as a celebration for all 25 CUNY campuses, a system that entered a settlement with the US Department of Education earlier this month over ongoing discrimination complaints, including both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Caban has shared photos on social media throughout Pride Month with posters reading “Queer as in Free Palestine” and “No pride in genocide.”
The irony wasn’t lost on social media users.
“These people amaze me, supporting people who would have them killed at the drop of a hat,” one commented.
Other messaging at events Caban attended this month also co-opted pride. Posters branded with her name called for the closing of Rikers Island and the funding of libraries — both “for queer liberation.”
Caban did not respond to a request for comment.
