צילום: גיל לביא
International pride comes to Tel Aviv
Gay participants from all over the world congregate in Tel Aviv to celebrate gay pride in the Holy Land, learn about local community's dilemmas
Thirty-five young gays from around the world arrived in Israel this week to attend the iPride program, learn about Israel and meet with local GLBT leaders. Participants came from Germany, The Netherlands, US, Sweden, Italy, and Singapore to celebrate the gay Pride Parade in Israel.
iPride is an Israeli project under the auspices of StandWithUS - an international, non-profit organization that promotes a better understanding of Israel, through examination of diverse issues.
While in Israel the group attended different panels and conferences that explore Israel’s culture through a GLBT scope and addressed the issue of how to deal with being out and gay in a country that mixes religion with state. Openly gay Knesset member Nitzan Horowitz, who met with the participants this week, explained to them: “Religion is part of the state apparatus. These are state officials that are bound by the laws of God the way they see them and it is very hard to fight them.
Pride Parade in Tel Aviv on Friday (Photo: George Ginsberg)
"This is why we need international support. The Arab, ultra-Orthodox, and Russian sectors are really problematic for gay rights. It seems like the only occasion where religious leaders come together is against gay pride.”
Out in the IDF
Since the law that prevented gays from serving as commanders in the IDF was changed in the 1980’s, the Israeli army has abandoned the “don’t ask don’t tell policy” for a more liberal “you can tell but we don’t care” approach. Gay rights activist Anat Nir says, “In Israel we have an essential need for manpower. We can’t afford to have our gay men and women feel uncomfortable while they are serving. We need them.”Openly gay Yoni Shoenfield who serves as deputy battalion commander in a reserves Paratroopers unit, as well as serving in Central Command Headquarters as a ranked officer says that, “The Israeli case proves that gays can be out in the military and the only thing happening is a highly functioning army. It is time America moves into the 21st century and changes their policy. I find it strange that a nation who respects democracy and human rights doesn’t respect the basic human needs of its soldiers. How can you be a good soldier if you have to hide a piece of who you are?”
Shoenfield explained that the IDF creates a brotherhood between young men who serve under severe physical and psychological stress. “When I told my army friends I was gay it didn’t change a thing in our friendship. Young soldiers come up to me and let me know that I am a role model for them in how to deal with their own sexual identities. It is great that the IDF has become so tolerant towards gays.”
Director of StandWithUs International Michael Dickson said about the participants of the program: “SWU’s mission is education. We work with various segments of the community, find out the issues that matter to them and relate them to Israel. This is an extraordinary opportunity to reach out to a population that is often overlooked - reach out to the GLBT community and have them experience the Israel we know and love for themselves."
