The Jerusalem Gay Parade turned to a Gay festival due to the warnings of the police against a bomb. It seems that no matter what we say, the security rationale always has its way in Israel. The Gay parade was a parade for human rights, more than ever. It was a political parade, where the left (and extreme left) were unseparated from gay rights. The Gaza bombings were there more than any other time.

Politics played a major role here, and my former party, Merertz, send their parliament members. All but the chair. Yossi Beilin was missing in action. not present in the demonstration and not protesting for what his party believes in so much. I met all of them, and i do believe that though the party had changed (lately they offered a draconic statute against file sharing), the people are still the same.

Highlights:

When we got to the rally we met Hanan Cohen, an israeli blogger and activist, who took photos of all the bloggers holding a site calling from freedom of expression. Dana and I stood in front of the camera and did our best in looking good and posing for it. I think that (besides last week in the rabin rally) this was one of the first times that Dana and i went in public to a political rally. and i think she liked it somewhat. she told me that i might be having an activist girlfriend. i told her i do not care, or rather, i do care and prefer a girlfriend that does care.

“Hadag Nachash”, one of Israel’s most favored and most political bands performed and called for peace, legalisation of cannabis and human rights, as usual. I do think that it was important to see all of them there to show support in the gay community and the struggle.

I met so many people i haven’t seen in ages. these political rallies are more for the casual meetings and less for the protest i think. Ron, an old friend of mine whom i haven’t seen for over a year, and is my only friend from the military service was there. so were other people i have missed.

But i do think that the political activism there was important. to explain that gay rights are the first real fight which is not sectorial. not only for gays, but for everyone. while in israel every party is sectorial and fights for their interests, the gay community fights for the greater good – the right to love.