Pride
Jerusalem Pride
When the Jerusalem Open House started out – more than 13 years ago – few people believed itwould be possible for an LGBTQ community organization to exist, let alone thrive, in the heart ofJerusalem. But despite doubts, opposition, and refusal on the part of the municipality to fund ourcenter like any other nonprofit organization, we have stayed strong – and in 2002 we hosted ourfirst March for Pride and Tolerance, now an annual event.
Jerusalem Pride is the largest human rights demonstration in the city, with thousands of marchersand more partners and supporters every year. This past year, the march ended at the Knesset andconcluded with a demand for LGBTQ equal rights. Rather than most Pride Parades, which arecelebrations, our annual March for Pride and Tolerance is a demonstration, and a protest for equalrights.
In addition to the annual triumph of our Pride marches, the JOH brought Jerusalem to theinternational LGBTQ stage when we hosted WorldPride (an event that promotes LGBTQ issues onan international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities) in 2006.
Our Pride events have not gone unopposed. In 2005, the city attempted to ban the parade. Althoughthe motion was overturned by a district court, religious Jews turned out in force to protest the event,which culminated in one protestor stabbing three marchers. The 2006 parade was also precededby violent rioting in one of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. Although there has beenless opposition in recent years, there is still a significant need for tight security at Pride events. Weappreciate your support to help keep Pride safe, and want to invite you to join us in our upcommingmarch.
