Amit Paley’s Writings

Amit Paley’s Op-Ed pieces
New York Times: Carl Nassib Came Out. Coaches and Teammates Need to Step Up In this opinion piece, Amit Paley decribes the problematic trends that keep LGBTQ kids from playing sports and how institutional change is needed to create a culture of inclusion.

TIME Magazine: Addressing the Flaws in our Mental Healthcare System Could Save Young LGBTQ Lives This article in TIME Magazine identifies the obstacles in the mental healthcare system which prevent LGBTQ youth from getting the help they desperately need. Amit Paley offers insightful guidance on how we can build a world that is safer and more welcoming for vulnerable populations.

USA TODAY: Bills like ‘Don’t Say Gay’ hurt LGBTQ youth already at high risk of suicide Amit Paley illustrates how legislation such as the ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ can be devastating to LGBTQ youth who are already at risk for suicide. Amit encourages politicians to meet with transgender and nonbinary youth in order to foster understanding and respect.

CNN: Florida’s ‘don’t say gay’ bill is cruel and dangerous Amit joins with Joe Saunders, the first LGBTQ state lawmaker to take the oath of office in Florida, to discuss the danger of legislation that will limit classroom discussion of people in the LGBTQ community. This compelling op-ed underscores how important it is for young people to feel safe expressing their identities.

The Hill: Biden’s executive order is a strong step forward — as LGBTQ youth need support This opinion piece from The Hill praises ground-breaking legislation in support of LGBTQ rights. Paley celebrates the progress that has been made in the fight for equality, while acknowledging how much more work there is to be done.

The Tenessean: We must urgently support LGBTQ youth in Tennessee and end suicide everywhere
This essay in the Tennessean encourages all of us to choose our words wisely. Amit Paley carefully explains that learning about the issues facing young people in the LGBTQ community and engaging in difficult conversations with our loved ones can save lives and improve mental health.

Washington Post coverage:
Iraqi Hospitals Are War’s New ‘Killing Fields’ Medical Sites Targeted By Shiite Militiamen Amit Paley depicts how Iraqi hospitals, typically safe havens, became part of the battleground in the Iraq war. He recounted how Sunnis were kidnapped from their hospital beds and killed by Shia militias.

Farewell on a Dark Tarmac Unit Sends Comrade Home From Baghdad With Salutes and Sobs
In this rare look at a usually unseen ceremony, Amit Paley describes the scene as soldiers say goodbye to their unit’s first combat fatality in Iraq.

Heralded Iraq Police Academy a ‘Disaster’ Amit Paley details the gross mismanagement of the $75 million project to build the largest police academy in Iraq. He speaks with engineers and army officials to determine where things went wrong.

Even Dating Is Perilous In Polarized Baghdad Rising Tension Between Sunnis, Shiites Nearly Puts End to Mixed Relationships What is it like to date the enemy? Amit Paley eloquently captures the struggle of Romeo-and-Juliet-style love between Sunnis and Shiites attempting to maintain their relationships with one another against the backdrop of war.

Iraqi Dam Seen In Danger of Deadly Collapse
The Mosul dam is becoming increasingly unsafe, threatening the lives of up to 50,000 civilians. Amit Paley illuminates how this came to be, and what can be done to prevent catastrophe.

Next Year, Anywhere But in Grim Baghdad
The Jews of Iraq are a dwindling few. In this haunting piece, Paley invites us into the last Yom Kippur of the last rabbi in Baghdad, helping us to feel the fear and resolve of the remaining Iraqi Jews.

Sadr Pursues Image to Match His Power
In this news-making profile, Amit Paley introduces readers to new details about the life of Moqtada al-Sadr, head of one of Iraq’s largest militia and political groups. He provides a behind-the-scenes look into who Sadr is and what motivates his war-time decisions.

A Quiet Windfall For U.S. Banks Amit Paley reveals a little-noticed tax change by the U.S. Treasury Department that provides banks with a windfall of up to $140 billion.

The Secret Court of 1920

The Secret Court of 1920 original article in The Harvard Crimson In this investigative piece that made headlines around the world, Amit Paley revealed a 1920’s witch hunt to identify gay men and drive them out of Harvard, a painful chapter in Harvard and LGBTQ history that had remained a secret for 80 years until uncovered by Amit.

In Harvard Papers, a Dark Corner of the College’s Past The New York Times speaks to Amit Paley about his discovery of the Secret Court of 1920, when Harvard University methodically harassed and expelled a number of students who they suspected of being gay.

A Harvard Secret Court Expelled Gays in 1920s ABC’s Chris Cuomo covered Amit Paley’s discovery of the Secret Court of 1920, speaking with current faculty and administrators grappling with how to reckon with this upsetting piece of Harvard’s history.

History of the Secret Court: Inspired by Amit Paley’s discovery of Harvard’s Secret Court in 1920,
Harvard students demand that the administration come to terms with the past through a specific list of actions, including demanding more support for the LGBTQ community on campus.

Harvard Crimson coverage of 100th Anniversary of the Secret Court: Harvard University navigates how best to move forward 100 years after the Secret Court of 1920.

Living Histories panel discussion:
Living Histories features a panel discussion with Amit Paley and several Harvard professors regarding Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920, including homophobia and transphobia on campus and the future of the LGBTQ community on campus.