All Entries Tagged With: "gay"

Who’d have thought there’s still room for even more hatred in this part of the world?

A sad night in Tel Aviv last night, as two youngsters were shot and killed in a Tel Aviv youth center for gays and lesbians. No talk of terrorists this time, but some might argue that the murder of innocent youths is a form of terror.

The incident has been roundly condemned by all, even by those in the religious parties who some have pointed the finger at for incitement. Education Minister Gideon Saar put it like this:

This is where we have to say out loud, in a clear voice, that Israel will continue to be a free country, where each citizen is free to choose his way of life according to his own will.

And I think the video clip below shows the true fighting spirit of the Tel Aviv gay community, a little while after the attack. Big respect to them.

Gay friendly Tel Aviv pulling the punters in

Last week’s Pride Parade in Tel Aviv is perhaps the final confirmation that Israel really is as progressive a nation as they come, a great selling point to a world convinced that Israel is only about Gaza, settlements and terrorism. A world certainly in need of some sun, sand and good times.

Recently the Israeli Foreign Ministry has embarked on a definitely more liberal route of promoting tourism to Israel, what with its campaign (via Elal) to convince European gays to fly over to Tel Aviv for a cheap package holiday (they actually got a very good deal!) and the promotion of a US-based Israel advocacy group, StandWithUs, whose backers include conservative Americans like casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and who flew in a group of journalists and gay activists from the United States and Europe last week that climaxed (ahem!) in Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade.

The Foreign Ministry may have even gone too far recently, what with their success in offending many with their quite crass attempts at making Israel seem like a sexy place to visit. Handing out condoms in a goodie bag might just have pushed the envelope a tad wee too far, especially when your audience includes many religious Jews.

Last week’s Pride Parade also saw a new chapter in relations between the state itself and the gay community in Israel. Five couples, three sets of brides and two sets of grooms, got married in an offical ceremony (although not officially recognised by the state), with each couple - in perhaps a direct affront to the Jewish religious establishment - swearing allegiance to Tel Aviv, rather than the traditional option of Jerusalem.

If I forget thee, O Tel Aviv, let my right hand wither, let my tongue cleave to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not set Tel Aviv above my highest joy.

This could only have happened in an open and free Tel Aviv. 

Tel Aviv’s tolerant attitude towards the gay community has thus ensured its acceptance is used as marketing material to pull the tourists in, whatever their sexual orientation. Not everybody is happy about it, but we’re a firm believer in respecting others, whatever their religious or sexual persuasion.

Welcome to Israel!

Pride Parade 2009, Tel Aviv

Yesterday saw one of the biggest events of the summer, the Pride Parade in Tel Aviv. Streets full of brightly decorated floats with crowds of people bopping alongside to some decent house and club tunes ain’t a bad thing, we say. Shame about the traffic jams, but hey, this is Tel Aviv. And a big “Mazal Tov!” goes out to the five gay couples who got married on Tel Aviv beach after the Parade.

Here is a collection of great shots of the Parade from the talented Tsahi M.

And if you want to get a feel for the atmosphere during yesterday’s Pride Parade, check out the following two clips:

Picture of the Week V

In celebration of Pride Parade, which takes place in Tel Aviv today, I thought this picture would do the job. Nothing controversial, just a nicely taken and composed shot, actually taken with a disposable camera, from Fishy. Fishy is a guy who lives in Arad, in the south of Israel, and who is currently taking an Israeli tour guide course, hence a ton of shots from around the country. He usually works with a Canon EOS.

El Al goes gay

El Al, Israel’s national airline, has gone all out to bring Europe’s gays to the Holy Land, just in time for Gay Pride month in June.  Some very special travel packages are on offer, including a round trip from any European city and three nights in a Tel Aviv hotel, starting from a very reasonable $330. That is actually a whole lot more sweeter than reasonable, considering the summer season, with summer prices, is about to kick in.

But it looks like El Al has twigged on about the potential of gay tourism, which is notoriously more open-wallet than non-gay tourists. Marketing efforts won’t be mainstream: instead El Al has teamed up with a leading gay website in Israel, encouraging members to invite European friends over, with Gay Pride month in Tel Aviv - extra special this year thanks to Tel Aviv’s centenary celebrations - the obvious attraction. Many hundreds, if not thousands, of gay tourists are expected in Tel Aviv during June, thanks to this new campaign.

“This is a disgrace. Just as El Al was sensitive to the ultra-Orthodox community and refrained from flying on Shabbat and serves kosher meals, it shouldn’t take part in this. And in general, this whole pride parade – it would be better to watch a show at the circus than this parade.”

 

Gay tourism to the Holy Land

As anyone who has spent time in Israel knows, Israel has a thriving and very happening gay community. It may seem out of place in the Holy Land and does often invoke the wrath of the more religious, but it’s here to stay.

And that thriving community is about to be expanded by more of the international gay community; some 200 travel agents from across the world are expected at the annual International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association symposium, which is coming to Tel Aviv for the first time this October, to market Tel Aviv to members of the gay community. 

Shay Deutsch, spokesman for the Israeli gay community, was excited:

“The advantage of such a convention is that it exposes to travel agencies around the world what Tel Aviv has to offer to the gay population, and after such a convention, tourism blossoms in the hosting city”.

Tourism Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila had this to say:

“The city is promoting the matter of gay tourism to Tel Aviv. I welcome any tourist coming to Israel, regardless of their sex, opinions, or sexual preferences.”

Hear hear, is what we say. Coming soon, the Gay Guide to Israel.