Ground Zero Gay Bar?

In response to the recent approval of an Islamic center near (2 blocks away, in fact) the World Trade Center, Fox News host Greg Gutfeld made headlines by suggesting that he was planning to open an "Islam-friendly gay bar" near the new Mosque.

The host of Red Eye sarcastically wrote, "As you know, the Muslim faith doesn't look kindly upon homosexuality, which is why I'm building this bar. It is an effort to break down barriers and reduce deadly homophobia in the Islamic world. The goal, however, is not simply to open a typical gay bar, but one friendly to men of Islamic faith. An entire floor, for example, will feature non-alcoholic drinks, since booze is forbidden by the faith. Bottom line: I hope that the mosque owners will be as open to the bar, as I am to the new mosque."

Despite its premise of "tolerance," Gutfeld, known for occasional homophobic remarks (he once viciously mocked a transgender person), seems to be craving provocation rather than actual accomplishment. As a result, homosexuality has become as much a target of jokes as the "intolerant" Muslims Gutfeld is protesting. For example, the New York Post opened its article about the gay bar with this tacky line: "Good luck finding 72 virgins in this joint."

During his appearance on Glenn Beck (below), the two hosts giggled like immature school children when trying to come up with a name for the bar: "Ramadam," "Ji-Hot," "Ji-Hunk," "Infidelicious," "Turban Cowboy," "Suspicious Packages," "You Mecca Me Hot," "Grind Zero."

Um, really?

Of course, while the homophobia of some extremist Muslim communities is alarming, we know just how kindly some members of the Christian faith look upon gay people. Glenn Beck even admits in this clip that he wouldn't want gays anywhere near his own church.

-- NICK STERGIOPOULOS

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