Bigots Unite To Oppose LGBT Parade In Jerusalem

international | gender and sexuality | other press

Wednesday July 05, 2006 14:40

by pat c

Finally! Something that unites Muslims, Jews and Christians: Homophobia! Yes the great religions of the world have united to keep the Queers out of Jerusalem.

Read the full story at the link.

pat c

LGBT Pride Parade Jerusalem 2005

Jewish and Arab MPs in Jerusalem are often at odds, but they joined forces this week in protest at a common enemy -- a massive gay pride rally which they fear will tarnish the reputation of their ancient holy city.

"The residents of Jerusalem are attracted by the unique character of this city. There is no reason to harm this singularity for a simple exhibitionist desire," said MP and rabbi Yitshak Levi, quoted in the top-selling Yediot Aharonot daily.

Levi and Ibrahim Sarsur, an MP from the United Arab list, spent the past few days circulating a petition among Israeli deputies calling for the gay pride parade to be cancelled.

Three Christian groups in Jerusalem have urged the Israeli authorities to reconsider the authorization granted to organizers. "We support any action brought by the Jewish community in order to cancel this event," a representative of the International Christian Embassy told AFP.

And tensions threaten to erupt even further. During a recent local gay pride march in Jerusalem, an ultra-Orthdox Jew punched one of the participants. A man and two women taking part in last year's annual gay parade were stabbed by an ultra-Orthodox Jew.

World Pride 2006, a week-long festival and rally for gay, lesbian, transsexual and transgendered people, is planned for August 6-12. The last such event, in Rome six years ago, drew around 500,000 people.

However, a spokesman for the Israeli gay community has vowed that any cancellation of the event this year is out of the question. "Jerusalem Open House", one of the most active gay rights groups in the Middle East, expects tens of thousands of people to converge on the city for the event, which will include street festivals, parties, religious observances and a gay film festival.