Newspaper Article

Holiness and WorldPride

Levinson, Jerry

2005

Overview

The symbolism ascribed to Jerusalem increases the likelihood that WorldPride will have far-reaching implications for Israeli society. The author, a psychologist, is co-founder and former chairperson of Jerusalem's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center, the Jerusalem Open House. Jerusalem is not merely a heavenly symbol to adherents of various faiths; it is a vibrant, Earth-bound metropolis inhabited by over 600,000 real, live humans. The city is the largest single municipal district in Israel, incorporating the seat of national government, three university campuses, various colleges, and centers of industry and commerce. Demographically, the city is a microcosm of Israeli society, its population a conglomeration of minorities: Armenians, Copts, Russian and Ethiopian immigrants, Christian and Muslim Arabs, secular, religious and haredi Jews of various ethnic backgrounds and over 50,000 gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. Obviously, \"pride\" events could, and indeed do, take place in other cities around the world, as well they should. But it is precisely the intolerance and the denial of basic human rights here and the need for renewed hope and optimism that combine to make it so necessary and worthy to conduct these events in Jerusalem, now. The ubiquitous symbolism ascribed to Jerusalem increases the likelihood that WorldPride will have far-reaching implications for Israeli society in general, and for other societies as well.

• Publisher: The Jerusalem Post Ltd