I hope I live to see the day where we won't need parades to express sexual orientation pride. I'm heterosexual and don't take any shame or pride in it. It's just whom I am and the same should go for homosexuals, bisexuals or trangenders. Everyone deserves equality under the law regardless of sex, religion or sexual preferences. Period. Susan, Raanana, Israel

Shut up and go to Saudi-Arabia.

They should be given their own state ... Oh wait ... that won't work for demographic reasons! What gays do is TOTALLY unnatural and sick. What next pedophile pride?

I should also be allowed to flaunt my heterosexuality in everyone's faces as well.If homosexuals want to be accepted, then why do they have to make a statement that they are different than everyone else? They may believe that they are merely expressing their lifestyle but we must understand that their homosexuality is being used by the extreme leftists who want to push their perverted agenda of tolerance upon everyone else.They care about the Gay community as much as they care about the next person.I would much prefer a Gay pride parade in Damascus, Beirut,Gaza or Tehran if there needs to be one rather than in our holy land.

You are a great mom and have reason to be "proud". Ignore the narrow minded ignoramuses around us.

you know, I really don't like being called a "narrow minded ignoramus". There's nothing to be proud of in a man rear-ending another man. That's a perfectly valid opinion, and not that of an "ignoramus". It's funny how supporters of GLBT people have no qualms about using derogatory language against us, but what if I call you an "ignoramus' for not realizing that a man and a woman sexually belong together. And do the GLBT people like it if we call them "faggots", "swishers", "fairies", "bull dykes", "wierdos", or any other derogatory terms? Wise up, Ilana, whatever you are.

I have nothing against gays...In fact I couldnt care less about them. To have a Jewish municipality in Israel openly encourage this, is not what Israel was founded for. 'Modern Israel' is no different from NYC as far as I'm concerned. I fail to see the reason why 'Modern Israel' is worth the fight and the blood being shed 24/7. At times like this I seriously wish my kids would see what I see and will come back to Canada to live as free Jews. In Canada they may choose to live how they wish. In fact they may be religious as much as they wish. They dont have to put up with abnoxious Hebrew speaking louts. I am truly sorry they chose Israel..I am truly sorry. 'Modern Israel' to me is an abomination. Shame on you!

To be a land of gays and strays devoid of any jewish soul. Pathetic and deplorable.That said ,what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms is their own business ,I resent us having it rammed down our throats or forced upon us.As for Tzipi Livni she is an idiot.

Just when my heart was truly bursting with pride for Israel and her beauty and amazing achievements ,I am sorry to witness this sorry spectacle on our streets.Like Sodom and Gomorrah and worse than Rio de Janeiro.

What a nice bit of good news that Israel embraces tolerance and civility here. You wouldn't see this in neighboring countries. For those who are offended, just don't attend the parade. From the look of the pics, the crowd looks pretty happy and well behaved.

As a member of Jewish Voice For Peace, I recognize this event as a clear example of Israeli PR to spin the 'state' into a bastian of 'open mindedness' and acceptance. The world isn't buying it. Sorry, Ms. Livni. You and your Operation Cast Lead have not been forgotten. Shalom.

Hi Baruch, I quite agree with your views, and I'm not even Orthodox, just a plain ordinary Jew.

How can someone claim to be "religious" and have sex with another man? Clearly the Tanach states that this is among the worst abominations/sins possible. It is equivalent to Bestiality. If you're Gay...fine..keep it to yourself..It's not something to be flaunted about. I say, live and let live...I don't need to see you waving your lifestyle choice in our faces!

They need a pat on the back from everyone else and universal approval ??

I think the hardest thing that straight people who do not understand gay people, is that this is not a choice, its a fact of life. Yes they choose to accept being gay rather than live a lie, why is that wrong? And just because a dusty old book says its "an abomination to lie with another man" - doesn't the bible also speak of love, forgiveness, being a good person? Aren't those things all relevant to tolerance and understanding and helping people who are different? I take my hat off to the brave men and women that choose to be openly gay and prey for tolerance, peace and understanding throughout all of mankind's people. Let us celebrate life.

I will tell you what you can avoid doing and that is ramming your lifestyle down the throats of others and holding stupid parades. Israel has bigger issues to contend with.

How about a little common courtesy and respect, because obviously you are in serious need of it!

What a disgusting display in the Holy land. Is this what we suffered 2000 years for? The Torah forbids this type of behavior, if you can't help it then do it in private behind close doors don't be proud openly about an act considered to be an abomination in the eyes of God. The only valid argument Israel has to claim the land is the Torah, this parade is just giving the Arabs extra points into why we are not entitled to this land as per our Torah.

However, there is also nothing in the Basic Laws that authorizes defamation and libel (which, in Israel, is a prosecutable crime). Therefore all those of you who call homosexuality "wrong" should be in prison. So how's that out-of-supreme- authority logic working out for ya now?

I have tried to visualize two of these poofs having a go. I end up rushing to the toilet to throw up. I simply cannot grasp the logic of two men swapping place to ram their "whatever,and how big" up the butt of another man. I assume they then swop places. Still, this must be cleaner than a man having a go with a sheep, or tied to the belly of a camel and getting their due rewards from the camel. There was once a young girl who tried it out with a bottle. Problem was she couldn't get it back out without someone breaking the bottle to let the air in, or was it out. ach yuch! I'll stick with the boys anytime!

it is good to see that gay rights are respected and valued in israel. i however do not think that this issue should have a top priority status for the government or receive enormous funds the top priority should still be supporting familism, supporting children, education and the defense of the state

Dear Sean ,one cannot coerce or force others to respect , respect must be earned .And you need to practice what you preach .

like those who have post some of the Talkbacks, this will never happen! Those who spew hatred against Gays justify the murder of Gays in the Nazi Concentration Camps. Like Jews and Gypsies they were regarded as "untermenschen" and didn't have the right to live! Israel should be proud that the Gay Community can have Gay Parades unlike our neighbors, the Palestinians and their champions Iran and Syria where being Gay is a death sentence!

lifestyle down the throats of the secular! Stop religious coercion! That is what is diving the country not Gays having a parade once a year in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem!

I am not gay but my best friend is,and anyone who is gay or knows someone who is gay knows it is not a choice. Who would choose such a hard life? Yes it is true being gay is not natural in the sense that biologically they cannot procreate man/man, woman/woman. Plenty of ppl choose not to procreate and some can not. Should we call infertile ppl abominations as well? And as for the haters out there saying its gross? umm yeah well I think a lot of things other ppl do is gross also should I hate all of them. Anyone out there who eats broccoli i hate you btw you're an abomination!....yeah sounded stupid in my head too. Everyone has different beliefs stop trying to judge ppl bc of whats written in an out dated book! I don't believe in g-d but if he/she exists I am pretty sure they are cool with the gays. Why a parade? bc they can! why a salute to Israel parade last weekend in NYC? bc we are who we are and we should find pride within ourselves, No one is perfect but everyone who is good at heart should love themselves, regardless if you are gay or straight, Muslim or Jew, Arab or Israeli, male or female, read ynet or haaretz! Why not have a parade one thing Tel Avvians love its their balagans so Yalla Balagan! lev sheli b' tel aviv!

Read Genesis 19

One Al from Montreal sends emails saying that Canada especially Montreal is filled with Muslms and he wants to make aliya and join his sons. Today "another" Al from Montreal wants his sons to leave Israel and join him in Canada. Will the "real Al" please stand up!

Gays

linda # 16 congradulations on having such a terrific sonny boy. tell me, how will you feel when he dances at a wedding or bar mitzva with his sweetheart cheek to cheek? must make you feel proud.cut it out and start telling the truth about how it hurts. i love my children, but i am not accepting of everything that goes on in their lives.