Culture
Tel Aviv, the final gay frontier
Chas Newkey Burden
Published: 08.01.07, 13:59
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
37 Talkbacks for this article
1. "strange new worlds" is an understatement
mike ,   israel (formerly usa   (01.08.07)
2. gay scene?
Nadav ,   Tel Aviv   (01.08.07)
I agree that Tel Aviv is one of the most gay friendly cities I have ever been too, and that includes NY and London - where I lived. In fact, that is one of the reason I moved here. However, since I made aliyah from NYC 3 years ago, most of the gay bars have closed. There is ONLY Evita!! that is the only full-time gay bar- in all of the Gush Dan Tel Aviv metro area)! Sure, there are gay party nights at certain clubs during the week, but what if a bloke just wants to go to a bar? I hope some one takes this invitation and opens another 1 or 2 full- time bars in Tel Aviv- there is definitely a demand for it!
3. Publishing this RUBISH is shameful
Jabroni ,   Hialeah   (01.08.07)
With all that is going on in the world, why are we constantly being bothered by these Homo interest stories??? If only Arutz posted articles faster!!!
4. ANI OHEV ET TEL AVIV:-)
Gabriel ,   Budapest, Hungary   (01.08.07)
Tel Aviv has become one of the best places on Earth to live. No ghettos for minority groups "only" FREEDOM and EQUALITY. That's great!
5. Aids is the huge problem
Tali ,   Tel Aviv   (01.08.07)
Since so many gay men in Tel Aviv have aids, they should be more carefull. As to "But as we passed near one of Tel Aviv’s synagogues, he nervously clipped a skull cap on his head", this is a joke nobody has to clip kippa when passing a synagogue.
6. Quick!! There's a synagogue...put your kippa on!
jimmyjew ,   israel   (01.08.07)
yah, it was a decent story if you have time to read interest stories like this. It's true! T.A is a gay friendly place. But I have to say that the part about 'having to clip a kippa when passing a synagogue' was a stupid thing to write. It only reveals that the writer is clearly 'pushing it' to make a point. No one without a kippa on moves to put a kippa on just when passing a synagogue.
7. #3 Jabroni
Fussion ,   Israel   (01.08.07)
Take 5 minutes and go and smoke something green. Homophobics like yourself are only trouble. 'Ever heard heard of the addage 'live and let live', try it you might like it !!!
8. I am all for freedom but.....
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (01.08.07)
really - it isn't about hedoism and f...ing. I can barely believe they printed that last sentence.
9. to #5 Tali
Yossi Herzog ,   Tel Aviv   (01.08.07)
Okay, I guess that Chas didn't think that it needed clarification, but I put on a kipah because we were passing a yeshiva with people I used to learn with inside, and I didn't want them to see that I don't wear one anymore. Of course you don't have to wear a kipah in Tel Aviv.
10. to #5
Zohar ,   Tel Aviv   (01.08.07)
According to Haaretz, in 2005 in all of Israel, 384 people had Aids. Over the course of the year, 26 people died. I wouldn't say that it's "the huge problem," especially when you take into account what other Western countries are facing.
11. WHY??
(01.08.07)
is it that gays cant act normal. why must they run around like nuts almost naked.do you see straight people who are acting in this manor, to show they are hedero? if they wish to be more acepted maybe they should just live their lives with out the BS, that they are better then others.
12. The gay scene in Israel
Holly ,   NY   (01.08.07)
take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6sUxcqtpo
13. Clarification
Chas Newkey-Burden ,   UK   (01.08.07)
I never said - as jimmyjew claims - that you "have to put a kippa on when you pass a synagogue". I just said that he did.
14. #12
B ,   USA   (01.08.07)
I checked it out, and found that it's pretty disgusting for this to be occurring in the land of the Torah, Eretz Yisrael, promised to our Patriarchs for us to live a holy life.
15. THANKS FOR THIS ARTICLE!
Matt Hoffman ,   Boston, USA   (01.08.07)
I am so proud of Israel for allowing gay people to live in full equality :) I am also an observant, gay Jew
16. Great article!
AK   (01.09.07)
I'm straight, but I found this article shows a reality that many people fail to believe or learn about
17. wonderful article, thank you chas
Ahmed Bornstein ,   ny, ny   (01.09.07)
hey chas-i really enjoyed reading your article. it made me smile and gives me hope.
18. On The Other Hand...
David ,   Marietta USA   (01.09.07)
19. being gay in beirut
bmc ,   beirut, lebanon   (01.09.07)
ummmm.....i am an openly gay dj that spins in beiruts second biggest gay club...i havent been jailed for a year. what is this crap???
20. To Chas
NYC Girl   (01.09.07)
Great article, and thanks for de-bunking some of those negative stereotypes about Israel, and for presenting the country as the tolerant society it really is. One thing I would mention, which makes this level of acceptance even more remarkable, is that there's still a rather entrenched culture of "machismo" among some groups in Israel. Yet, unlike many of the Latin countries, for example, it doesn't create an atmosphere which would make it very difficult to be openly gay. Now, perhaps, you'll go back to England and educate those friends of yours who, apparently, have a lot of distorted notions as to what Israel is all about. And who knows...maybe you'll even convince some them to go there and see for themselves.
21. True perversion
Josh   (01.09.07)
Israel does not need these men to catch every desease gay vistors bring to Israel. Just goes to show you that it is not about love but sex. Think its down right repulsive. Also find the use of mechanics such as the Israel/Arab conflict, peace, ghettos and other imagery is terrible. Don't like the effort in trying to link peace and anti-shoah imagery. Shame shame! The world shouldn't have to listen to their twisted fantasies. Ynet - what are you publishing ths for?
22. The Big photo made me scare
Atilla Karagözoğlu   (01.09.07)
Gays are okey guys as human, they got their own business. Only The God can judge them. I will not judge them. Staying in public like that it is wrong to me. It is dangereous for kids. that is not the photo I want to see. too much freedom takes human down. THEY LOOK LIKE, THEY ARE DOWN. I wish they realize this. They have no right to make people scare. They have right to have their own sex life style, BUT IN THEIR HOME, not in public. I believe in woman and man. been gay some other thing I wont accept as part of normal human sex. and I wont judge. they should judge theirselves. That must be kind of GIVE UP with life. That must be their fight to The God. I will not make a wish they win. I will make a wish they try to change, at least they live their life in their own places, nut public. and Ynet, thanks to show THE WORLD to us. we shouldnt sleep. we should know whats going on in this world. thats all. I wish everyone has great day today. Gays are not from moon. They got great sense of humor, but they are wrong with that freedom. I say NO. Freedom must have some limits.
23. Many Israelis are Homophobic
Semsem ,   New York, USA   (01.09.07)
The article is very deceiving and propaganda showing Israeli tolerance. Many Israelis are homophobic. Many Israeli politicians and religious leaders dehumanise gays and make statements describing them as beasts.
24. #23 No phobia here - just cause its a sin
Josh   (01.09.07)
Don't confuse extreme dislike with a phobia. Fact is many including myself think it is gross as well as a sin which makes G-d angry. Of course like eating store bought chicken, people remove from their minds how the chicken went from living to being snitzel. Thus some of us keep in mind what all this gay selling is all about. Not love or genetics but satisfaction anyway they can get it regardless of the truth about people seeking the destruction of Jewish families (forbbidin fruit). Chasing down Palistinian men regardless of what happens to children and elderly...No morals about sums it up in my mind. Maybe this could be called a phobia too. NoMoralPhobia?
25. No wonder Israel will end up on the trash pile of History
Jim   (01.09.07)
26. to those anti's of all sorts !
charles ,   petach tikva   (01.09.07)
Who are the most anti's ? the religious of course , they are bound by their beliefs that being gay is a sin [ that's not an attack , it's a constation ]. Nobody tells you to be gay , if for you it's a sin , fine , for you . But not everyone follows religious laws and rules . You would prefer all of Israel being religious , fine for you , But there are others who not agree with this . Why do you [ both sides ] not accept , and even reject , others . It would be much better for everyone in this country , that all the Jews here see others not as adversarys , but as Jews with other views , other life style , but JEWS . Have'nt we sufferd enough , Charidim , observant , seculars and even baptised , only for being Jew or of Jewish descent , that we have to hate one the other ? Can there be no comprehension , tolerance , even love from one side to the other one ? Do'nt you think that cohesion can only make us stronger ? Hate brings hate , intolerance brings intolerance , BUT , love gives love , you want tolerance ? be tolerant ! Why would we not try it ?
27. #26 Anit=secular
Josh   (01.10.07)
The most adherent and likely person to try to convert someone is the staus qoa secular person who feels it is his or her duty to strip people of their judgements and rational and to get them to accept the "no religion" which is within itself a religion that tries to justify its rebellion against G-d using excuses such as science, demoractic speech, and rights. This of course is an open door to evil. I can also say that in my experience as a resue worker, I have never met an athiest that didn't start whinning to G-d when they were facing possible death. It just goes to prove what rebelion is in their hearts. Gays do this too. They feel their is a problem and this is why they are most vocal in trying to cover "it" up. It of course being sin.
28. To # 27 Josh
charles ,   petach tikva   (01.10.07)
Try to write on a more practiccal base , not rethorics . Seculars do of course not try to convert someone to their views . We can have an openly discussion , without any need to hurt or insult the other side . There are seculars who did not receive any Jewish education , sadly . You have not to be religious for have this in your head . Knowledge of your people's history is necesarry , and can only enrich you . Regarding sin , i understand it very well , that for religious people , some behaviour is sin . Mostly those "sinners" behave in this way , not to hurt someone , not "lehach'his" . For religious it looks maybe so , but it is a wrong idea . If a non religious rescue worker , Kol Hakavod for you , would tell me what you said , i would have more possibilitys to believe it . Maybe you exagerate a little [ or more ] bit .
29. #27 Josh
(01.10.07)
You say that you've "never met an atheist that didn't start whining to God when they were facing possible death." Well, unfortunately, I did. It was my husband, who, as it happens, was an Israeli. And he wasn't facing "possible death"...he was facing certain death from cancer at the age of 44. And when his brother came to the States to see him, and my husband found out he was becoming religious, they got into a huge argument in Hebrew, which I didnt' understand. But, I later learned that my husband had become furious at the thought that his brother was turning into what he referred to as an "emotional cripple." So there's one example that, apparently, negates your theory.
30. To # 29
charles ,   petach tikva   (01.10.07)
I'm sorry for your loss . In my # 27 i said it , Josh at least is exagerating by stating that all ....
Next talkbacks
Back to article