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March 31, 2005
In your face 24/7
Jeff links to an article about how the most fundamentalist leaders of the three "Abrahamic faiths" are coming together to protest a gay pride march in Jerusalem.I fully support the rights of gays to civil marriage (and religious marriage in whatever faith community accepts it) and to equal protection under the law. Furthermore I am not offended by "queer" flamboyance or the type of street theater typical at gay pride marches. Let a thousand lifestyles bloom!
But there is already a huge yearly gay pride fest in Tel Aviv, which is only a few hours away by bus and superhighway, and which has a reputation as a secular, even hedonistic, city. There is no city in the world more identified with more traditional religions and ancient sipiritual paths than Jerusalem. So leave Jerusalem alone. Gays who live there can get to Tel Aviv very easily.
Judith | 03/31/05 at 03:23 PM | Categories: Doing Jewish
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jerusalem is a city for all faiths and for all people. thank you very much for not being offended by my existence ... and for allowing me to be flamboyant in tel aviv. it is a wonderful city, and should never be cast as israel's gay ghetto. as jews we should know better than that. in any case, as a human being, a jew, and a lesbian; i believe i have the right to be myself in jerusalem as well.
the ravaj | March 31, 2005 05:26 PM
That is just silly. If you don't like the parade then don't go.
Jack's Shack | March 31, 2005 05:39 PM
I am not saying gays should be in the closet in Jerusalem and sneak away to TA just to have a social life. But I don't see the point of holding a large "in your face" festival someplace where it is really out of character for its location. I think there's a way to challenge the bigotry of a community while respecting its prevailing culture.An example of how not to do it would be the way some 60s radicals were sartorially flamboyant, doing drugs, being sexually provocative, being openly disdainful of their neighbors, in rural or working class communities they had joined to make social change. They got chased out or severely marginalized, and didn't change anyone.
Judith | March 31, 2005 05:39 PM
I very much disagree with you. I love the symbolism of a gay pride parade in Jerusalem. I don't like the orthodox signs in Meah Shearim telling everybody to dress how they think is appropriate in the city streets and I don't respect it any more coming from anybody else. Either you believe gay pride is acceptable or it's not, and if it is, then "not in my (or their) backyard" is just yucky.
Tara | March 31, 2005 06:05 PM
Compromise and recognition of others' positions is the sine qua non of the possibility of democratic governance. Rights are one thing; display is another, and is (and is intended to be) a provocation.Tangentially related: my local JCC was considering renting the facility to outside groups on Shabbat (kashrut to be maintained). The primary consideration was financial--always important. Yet for a small segment of the Jewish community, such use would itself un-kosher the facility. The JCC would be unavailable to strictly observant Jews for celebrating weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc. In the end, we keep the kitchens and hall closed on holidays.Sharing space with those with whom you differ is important. Pride is good, but it also precedes a fall.
Anonymous | April 1, 2005 10:40 AM
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