Revisiting Sodom: Jerusalem bans gay pride parade
Article:
Jerusalem bans gay pride parade
By Haaretz Staff and Agencies
Sun., June 26, 2005 Sivan 19, 5765

"Jerusalem City Hall will not allow the annual gay pride parade to go ahead next week, it announced yesterday, saying the march would offend many of the city's residents and set off unrest.

The Jerusalem Open House group, which is organizing the Fourth Annual Jerusalem Pride March, appealed to the Supreme Court to repeal the ruling, saying the decision was a violation of the homosexual community's freedom of expression.

The city council, including the mayor, decided "it is not right to allow the march or other planned activities to take place in the streets of Jerusalem, fearing it will create an uproar and offend a wide sector of city residents, and out of fear of public disturbances," said Eitan Meir, the director general of City Hall, in a letter to organizers made available by city officials.

The march, scheduled for next Thursday, was to be the fourth annual parade. Previous events have passed peacefully, attended by several thousand people and with only minor incidents of vandalism and protest. However, they took place under heavy security.

"The actions of the mayor, and those carrying out his policies, are injurious to the values of freedom of expression," said Hagai El-Ad, director of the Open House.

"Jerusalem continues in its discriminatory policy against the Jerusalem Open House and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Jerusalem," El-Ad said.

Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox mayor, Uri Lupolianski, has expressed his personal opposition to the parades in previous years, but let them go ahead, claiming the decision fell under police jurisdiction.

Officials at City Hall refused to explain the change in policy.

El-Ad said other events associated with "Pride Month" would go ahead regardless.

The city decision comes just weeks after the Jerusalem Open House postponed WorldPride 2005, a 10-day gathering that features street parties, workshops and a gay film festival, until August 2006."
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Some of the reactions on the Haaretz response page:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/591666.html#resp

*"I would like to see the Jerusalem Pride March take place. I myself am not interested in atending such a parade. I have been a spectator at them when in Toronto, and have never been a fan of the spectacle. It usually gives a stage to the most extroverted and does not always represent that huge silent majority.But I see no grounds for stopping the parade. It has gone off quietly in the past, and if the gays see the need to gather and feel the collective bond and freedom that the march provide them, then so be it.I can understnd how the religious groups Jewish, Moslem and Christian would be against it. One has to realize that the great religions are built on fundamentally sexophobic grounds. At this time they should calm their fears and allow people their freedom as citizens of the state to celebrate whatever they choose. Especially when no one is getting hurt.Yet again we are faced with the ying-yang of this planet, and this time the yang looks like it is losing out. I am proud of how this country has come to terms with an age old taboo.I honour the concepts of liberalism (not leftism) and feel that the individual must be allowed their freedom of expression, without violence."

*"I applaud the decision to ban the gay pride parade in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is one of the holiest cities in the world and its inhabitants should not allow something that is called an "abomination" in the Torah/Bible to be flaunted in the streets. If someone is gay, fine. But why the need for "gay pride" parades? What are they proud about? If "sexual preference" is really that, a preference, why is it something to be celebrating? Where are the heterosexual parades? Whether you are gay or straight, parading around advertising this kind of thing is simply inappropriate. Especially in a holy place."

*"Religous Jews have there rights to and having a gay parade in the center of a city where the majority of residents are opposed to homosexuality is a violation of their rights."

*"Gay Pride? You know I am proud that I am straight but I don`t feel the urge to take to the streets naked. I would be ok with the parade if it wasn`t based on sex. If it was based on gay culture and not sex I guess it would be ok. Maybe we should have a straight pride parade and take to the streets fully clothed."

*"When will Israel learn to be as tolerant as the countries in Western Europe it pretends to be like?This last provocation is simply a sign of the general malaise affecting Israeli society, which appears to me absolutely immoral."

*"I think that it`s highly unfortunate that GLBT persons are being being discriminated against like this. As a gay reform Jew it upsets me very much that ultra-orthodox mayors and administrative authorities try to force everyone to follow Halacha to the letter. There is such a thing as individual freedom, especially in a supposedly democratic and secular states."

*"How ironic! The Euros want to expand the Palestinian areas even though that is where the Palestinian gays get persecuted. At the same time the Euros want Israel to shrink but accept the persecuted Palestinian gays."

*"How about a gay parade in Ramallah?"

*" 'This last provocation is simply a sign of the general malaise affecting Israeli society,' words written by Clive of Cambridge. NonethelessExxageration or what? Clive my dear boy, we are not discussing the death penalty for gays, we are forming opinions regarding a parade. this is not a provocation, whereas many could say that holding the parade is a provocation. No parade, no issue. On the otherhand they would like to parade, as they have done for four years previous. Actually Israel is quite tolerant in this subject. Gays serve in the IDF and are easily found on television in the written press and in every strata of life here.The actual malaise can be found in the knee-jerk over-reaction of many posters to an issue such as this. All of a sudden it means that Israel, as a nation, is intollerant. This is nonsense. But we all see how the hysterical elements of European ideology have come to dominate many a forum, excluding any rational or sensitive critique of any subject. So relax Clive, it is obvious that this issue means nothing to you, other than a chance to bash Israel."

*"Why not???Gay Pride Parade took place in Tel-Aviv and now in Jerusalem...well, if they ban it it wont happen but i dont think its such a big deal to ban it...Israel is a liberal state, and gays ARE part of the society as straights are. There isnt any difference! On the contrary, such parades make narrow-minded people see that to be gay is not a disease but is a sexual preference, acceptable as long as it doesnt provoke any harm. And it doesnt provoke any harm! Gays have equal rights in the society..the fact that they want a parade and other people who post here claim "if they want parade,why straights shouldnt have parades?" shows that gays are not 100% accepted by everyone (althought they should be!) and they need to take an action in order for their voice to be heard! It doesnt matter that Jerusalem is a holy city for both 3 religions, as the gays DO NOT parade in order to desecrate Jerusalem`s holiness, but in order to state: "yes, we are here!" and good for them!! Im sure that Arabs if they really think about it they wont mind....and Im sure most Israeli Arabs at least dont mind at all...Coz in a place like Jerusalem..that is the crossroads of both 3 religions all of the peoples` opinions should be taken under consideration..thats the proper way of being just and fair...to consider all the peoples opinions!!"

*" "Jerusalem is one of the holiest cities in the world and its inhabitants should not allow something that is called an "abomination" in the Torah/Bible to be flaunted in the streets. If someone is gay, fine. But why the need for "gay pride" parades? What are they proud about?' I`ll tell you what they have to be proud about - even though they 3 monotheistic religions - Judaism/Islam/Christianity - regard them as an 'abomination' they really don`t care. It`s a statement for gay people to say 'Any Religion which calls gay people an "abomination" is itself an abomination of G*d`s word so we are going to ignore the protests of religion as that is wholly irrelevant to our right to live life as full members of society "

*" 'The Euros want to expand the Palestinian areas even though that is where the Palestinian gays get persecuted. At the same time the Euros want Israel to shrink but accept the persecuted Palestinian gays.' I don`t know where you are getting this information but for your information - Outrage which is probably the most radical gay rights group in Europe is very much pro Palestinian rights but they never fail to condemn the abuses inflicted by Palestinian society on its gay people. In fact the gay rights groups are about the only human rights groups who are willing to defend Palestinian gays."

*"This is one of the weirdest places in the world.Gay parades that mobilize the whole city and lots of police.What for??? to show that gays are accepted? Gays live your lives in private like everyone else.I don`t want my children to grow up seeing such sodomy.it`s not right.do what you want in private but leave others to live their lives without imposing your lifestyle and blocking street.And some stupid politicians looking for personal gains go and add to the fire by talking at these parades.Where has the people of Israel sunk to huh?Awaken people of Israel before it is really too late!!!!I hope the parade in JERUSALEM will not go ahead."

*"I congratulate the Ultra-Orthodox community for upholding the holy torah teachings. There is not one place in holy scripture where tolerance is taught for immoral behavior of any type. Moshe would not tolerate this in Jerusalem or any other part of Israel...why should others who seek to follow G-d holy teachings for Israel. deport those who seek to live in such an unholy lifestyle...Israel is to be the apple of G-d`s eye and therefore it must be holy to receive His Holy Protection against all enemies-internal and external"
- posted by Izak @ 11:06 PM