When gays were in the closet, we almost had sympathy for them. Either they were comical, and we got a kick out of it, or they were victims of harrassment and we were sympathetic. Now they are out in the open demonstrating how truly ridiculous their lifestyle is, and how truly annoying and offensive they are, and we understand why they should not have so-called "rights" like heterosexuals. In fact, they have "rights". like any human being. What they want are the privileges that society gives to straight couples because we respect and value what they do, and want to make it easier to do it. Like giving certain privileges to army veterans or students. Homosexuals don't deserve them, because we don't want to make it easier to be that way.

Gay rights are are as important as anyone's rights even though same people would like to invoke Leviticus Chapter 20 Verse 13 and send us all to our deaths as the Nazis tried to do! (I hope this doesn't upset the Editor). In my opinion there are better ways to demand equality and rights than behaving in a way that only prompts criticism. I am totally against the Pride Parade in Jerusalem as that is the City of Hatred and quite frankly not worth the trouble. These are my personal feelings. However, I fully respect the ideals of Pride and should the organizers of the Pride Parades in other cities and towns in Israel, I wish them well.

Your comment about not having a problem with gays as long as they were in the closet reminds me of a certain type of radical leftist (some of whom were even Jews themselves) who had no problem with Jews as long as they were weak, pathetic and persecuted. But as soon as Israel turned around and kicked the living daylights out of the Arabs in the Six Day War, those same leftists began to excoriate Jews and Israelis at every opportunity.

What on earth is wrong with the parades? Surely they are just an expression of freedom and do noone any harm. TA & Eilat are great multi cutural and diverse centres of life, Jerusalem is another matter but everyone is entitled to be able to voice and express their opinions without fear of oppression and biggotry.

Our uniform is so much better.

From what I've observed, most of the Western-in-Law&Thought Nations have accepted gays and there are now in place laws in many places to allow gay marriages. Change has come, more will come. Parades don't prove anything. Parades are 'preaching to the choir'. On the other hand, there are many countries of the world where gays are still put to death or discriminated against or made to stay in the closet. These are the countries who need a brave bunch of gay and gay supporters figuring out a way to have a parade in the oppressive countries. Think of the lift & hope it would give oppressed gays if several parades were held in a country like Jordan or Turkey. Have the parades be the culmination of week-long gay-pride events in major cities, with press coverage for the other Middle East countries. I don't know why gays can't find some way to give hope to gays in countries where the punishment is death.

"But why should offensive displays keep proud gays and lesbians marching--after years of open and implicit prejudice--to assert their (our) presence and demand for equal rights? I think it should not." You are judged by the company you keep. Proud gays and lesbians should be ashamed to be associated with the semi-nude, sex act demonstrators, etc. that tell the straight community the movement is something to avoid. I have relatives and friends who are gay. One of my male gay relatives stopped taking part in the pride parades when he realized he couldn't ask his young nieces to come and watch the parade. The nieces wanted to go and see their uncle in the parade. He realized, from past parades, that they would be exposed to people acting in ways that weren't appropriate for children to watch. Gay pride parades should be family friendly and qualify for G Ratings. Leave the non-G parades for places like New Orleans where non-G parades are expected (Mardis Gras). I KNOW that gay men aren't on the prowl for just sex all the time. One of my male relatives is in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend. When we visit his house, and vice-versa, we don't encounter them semi-nude pantomiming sex acts. Their home life is normal and is very kid friendly. Too bad the gay pride parades don't emphasize this aspect of the gay experience. The exhibitionists and others should be left to have their own parade. Just don't call it gay pride. Something like Exhibitionists-R-US is more appropriate.

Christy (#39) - You're wrong. Marching in Western countries is essential. First of all, it is NOT all rosey like you assert it it. There is still so much discrimination and demonization in these countries. Parades DO prove something. They give pride and hope and joy to the people who go. They let us see the incredible diversity of our community. They help us learn what organzations to get involved with. AND.... they inspire and give hope to people in other countries.. including Turkey, one of the countries you mentioned. Ask gay folks there. They will tell you that the marches and parades in freer countries give them hope and inspirations.

Christy (#40) and others, understandably, want to see gay people just be "nornal." The reality is that there is incredible diversity of types of gay folks. And diversity in how they choose to celebrate and present themselves. Yes, you will see scantilly dressed people, AND you will see people in hippy skirts and even grandma clothes. The larger contingents, such as PFLAG (Parents and Friends.. of Lesbians and Gays) and the Librarians are among the larger contingents. But come on, have fun. Start out with Dykes on Bikes. Can you imagine a parade of us Yidlech? Socialist Red-diaper babies, and charedi housewives, and Zionist activists, and kibbutzniks, and comedians and rabbis. Can you imagine us all celebrating in the same way or looking the same? Doesn't happen.