Over 250,000 people celebrate Gay Pride at Tel Aviv parade
Hundreds of thousands participate in annual march that concludes with a mass gathering at Charles Clore Park, where party goers treated to live shows by famous artists, including Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta Barzilai.
The parade, which is the largest of its kind in the Middle East, began at 12pm under the blazing sun on the corner of Sderot Ben Tsiyon and Bograshov Street, from where marchers headed to HaYarkon Street parallel to the sea before turning onto Frishman Street and then the Tel Aviv Promenade.
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The parade concluded at the Charles Clore Park, where a number of artists performed at the gathering, including 2018 Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta Barzilai.
Ayelet, who belongs to an organization of parents of gay and lesbian children, traveled to Tel Aviv from Ashkelon to join the parade.
“We created a body that assists and supports parents of children from the LGBT community so they are not alone,” she said. “At first, parents suffer a very difficult crisis in coming to terms with it, but the most important thing for us is that their children are happy. We have to protect the the rights of the LGBT community because I also want to be a grandmother.”
Chen Arieli, who chairs the The Aguda–Israel's LGBT Task Force, invited everyone to come and join the parade. “Come and be proud, as men and women, come and be more political. Come to the rally because together we will prevail over darkness. Enjoy, Tel Aviv!”, she said.
Mayor Huldai also delivered his remarks as the march got underway. “I am proud to stand before you. I remember how it was 20 years ago when we began the march and I see the atmosphere of freedom here,” he said while addressing the crowds.
“We have progressed a lot, but there is still a way to go. We will smash down legislative barriers so that all people are equal,” he vowed. “The parade represents a moral significance that says: We are here until we reach this goal.”
Also in attendance was Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg and MK Meir Ohana, Likud’s first openly gay lawmaker who is raising his twin children with his partner. “It’s fun to be here,” he said.
“We are proud to have been marching here now for 20 years in a row,” Zandberg declared. “Since the first march we have come a long way and registered may successes, but we cannot give up or let go. We will not accept a situation whereby there isn’t full equality in the eyes of the law and we will not accept institutionalized discrimination on the grounds of secual orientation.
“Discrimination and hatred still exist and as long as they are here, we will also be here to fight against these dark phenomena,” she continued.
