Mad props to Jerusalem queers!

[matt_mcl]

The queer community of Jerusalem just organized their first-everpride parade, despite threats of terrorism and the scorn of ultra-Orthodox authorities.

Gil Naveh, 19, one of the marchers, said their mission was sacred. “We are sanctifiying life,” he said. “We’re telling people that they can live the way they want.”

(damn, can you imagine marching in a pride parade in friggn Jerusalem at 19? I can’t. Kid has cojones.)

   Hagai El-Ad, director of the local gay center and an organizer of the rally, said the aim of the gathering was to make Jerusalem a more open city.
   "If men can walk holding hands in downtown Jerusalem, it won't detract from the holiness of the city, but contribute to it," he said. "Every human being was created in God's image."

“I think this is appropriate,” said Shmuel, 28, an Orthodox Jew wearing the black pants and white shirt of the more conservative sects. “It might seem like they are fighting for only their rights, but I don’t think so. They are expressing that we are one community.”

Gay activists in this deeply conservative city said the mere fact that the parade took place was a victory for a community that for years has felt unwanted here, and for a city beaten down by nearly two years of Israeli- Palestinian bloodshed.

(various sources)

Anyway, mazel tov! And good on you. :mad:;j:D:eek:

(Oh, and as for you fundies with the signs comparing homosexuality to terrorism? Kuss mir in tuchas, you schlemiels.)

[Cruktar]

matt_mcl, thanks for sharing that news story - you’ve made my night.

Although it’s no Jerusalem in regards to homosexuality, my area is about as straight as straight can be; it’s easy to forget that there are queer movements stirring up things in the world.

On a related note, kudos to my friend Mark, for heading to St. Louis, MO, this weekend to protest the Southern Baptist Convention. We’ve got enough closet cases in the Midwest, here’s hoping that the protest helps a few within the church.

[Coldfire]

Saw it on the news this weekend. Great news indeed!

Although there were plenty of people trying to disrupt the march, too. They showed lots of people shouting things that were translated as “Get these non-kosher people off our streets”, et cetera. Oh well - I guess the Orthodox have a right to express their opinion too.

[Lucretia]

Very brave, very moving.