American comedian: 'Are we encouraging homophobia so as not to offend Muslims?'

American comedian Bill Maher sharply attacked the progressive community, accusing it of compromising on basic liberal values. He referred to Seattle congressional candidate Melissa Chaudhry, who omitted LGBTQ rights from her website, and asked if that is progressive policy. Maher stressed that LGBTQ rights, women's equality, freedom of speech, and separation of religion and state are non-negotiable values, and called for preserving Western culture against new entrants.

American comedian Bill Maher came out strongly against what he sees as hypocrisy in the progressive community, accusing it of compromising on basic liberal values. In his closing monologue "New Rules," Maher referred to Seattle congressional candidate Melissa Chaudhry, who omitted LGBTQ rights from her website and said, "Because a lot of Muslims don't feel that way, unfortunately." In response, Maher asked: "Is that progressive policy now? We throw LGBTQ people under the bus whenever it conflicts with what makes Muslims uncomfortable?" Maher stressed that LGBTQ rights, women's equality, freedom of speech, and separation of religion and state are non-negotiable values. He cited an example of a gay cruise ship that was turned away by Turkey and Egypt, and quoted Linda Sarsour, an anti-Israel Muslim activist, who said, "Our number one priority is our community." Maher rejected this stance and called for preserving Western culture, saying, "If you want the American dream, you have to accept American values." He argued that claims of "Islamophobia" are a "bullshit word" to scare people, and that the real concern is replacing liberal values with illiberal ones.