Israel
Tel Aviv Gay Pride parade is largest ever in Asia and the Middle East
"With all the awful things happening to Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people all over the world, I am so happy to be in a place that is so welcoming”.
June 11, 2017 13:48
"With all the awful things happening to Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people all over the world, I am so happy to be in a place that is so welcoming”.
June 11, 2017 13:48Over 200,000 people from around the world took to the streets in Israel as part of the largest ever Pride parade in Asia and the Middle East.
This year's parade celebrated the theme of bisexuality and was intended to highlight the contributions bisexuals make to the city's LGBTQ community.
Tel Aviv-Yafo Mayor, Ron Huldai said the parade was not just a celebration of LGBTQ people "but also an important declaration of support.
"Tel Aviv, which has already been acknowledged as the world's 'most gay-friendly city' will continue to be a light-house city – spreading the values of freedom, tolerance and democracy to the world."
Blogger and reality television Star, Perez Hilton was this year's international ambassador for Tel Aviv Pride 2017 and attended the march on Friday.
He said: "I'm thrilled to be in this city with my children and to show them a place that I truly love.
"With all the awful things happening to Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people all over the world, I am so happy to be in a place that is so welcoming”.
Wilding out to my favorite song from @KatyPerry's new album, getting ready for @TelAviv #Pride! https://t.co/SDdK81xQNs #VisitIsrael @Israel pic.twitter.com/HbBBiaB189
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) June 9, 2017
A poll carried out in advance of the parade by the religious pluralism group Hiddush, found that support in the country for same-sex marriage is at an all-time high.
The poll revealed that seventy nine per cent of Israeli Jews said they support allowing same-sex marriage or civil unions for gay couples.
The annual parade saw floats with sound systems, dancers and rainbow flags flown by revellers, in the streets of Tel Aviv.
People took to soical media to share pictures of the event.
Over 200,000 people from around the world descended on #TelAviv to march in the largest ever #Pride Parade in Asia & the Middle East!🇮🇱🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/1FDk3WQ9i1
— Embassy of Israel (@IsraelinCanada) June 9, 2017
Tolerance in the Middle East 🌈 #Pride #Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/coHaxQq9Ac
— Alvaro Laforet (@AlvaroLaforet) June 9, 2017
It is the first major pride parade in the world to celebrate bisexuality.
The Israeli parade has become one of the world’s largest gay tourism events.
It is just one event in Tel Aviv's annual Pride festival, which includes an LGBTQ cultural festival that takes place in the city's theatres.
