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Plans for Jerusalem's Parade Moldovans Celebrate Their First Pride Events |
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By Rex Wockner International News Report Orthodox Jews Stressed Over Jerusalem's Planned Parade
Some orthodox Jewish members of the Jerusalem City
Council are horrified over the city's planned first
gay pride parade.
"We shall not allow all illnesses and perversions to find expression in this city. ... This thing must be condemned," said Deputy Mayor Shmuel Shakdi. "We shall do everything in order to undermine this march. ... This march will not take place in Jerusalem," said Deputy Mayor Eli Simchoif. After meeting in emergency session, anti-parade councilors issued a statement which said, in part: "If a cadre of tuberculosis sufferers wished to organize a parade in the city, should the city support such an event?" In fact, the city government has refused to fund the parade, saying, "This program is not consistent with norms set by the municipality of Jerusalem for parades and special events." Pride organizers filed suit with the High Court of Justice May 27 seeking to force the city to donate about $20,200 for parade policing and security. Moldovans Celebrate Their First Pride Events
"This is a sharp contrast to some of the prides in the West which grow each year in size and glitter, but which suffocate in provincial commercialism -- shutting out those without money and turning their backs on those in other countries struggling against homophobia and persecution," Shiller said. |
