Greg Gutfeld
Journalist and political satirist Greg Gutfeld has announced plans to open an Islamic-friendly gay bar in a commercial space adjacent to the so-called “Ground Zero mosque,” which is currently in its planning stages, according to Mediaite. Gutfeld, who hosts the “Red Eye” program on Fox News, said that the bar is aimed at “break[ing] down barriers and reduc[ing] deadly homophobia in the Islamic world.” In a blog post, Gutfeld implied that “understanding and tolerance” have allowed the mosque plans to go forward — and that the Islamic community should show the same spirit to the gay community. “I hope that the mosque owners will be as open to the bar as I am to the new mosque,” Gutfeld said. “After all, the belief driving them to open up their center near Ground Zero is no different than mine.” The planned Lower Manhattan mosque recently overcame a major hurdle to construction when the Landmarks Preservation Commission ruled that its site was not eligible for historic status. [Mediaite]