For all those already celebrating Gay Pride week, are you ready for the main events? Cause it’s all going to get very very crazy very soon!
Head down to Gan Meir at 11:00 on Friday for the main parade that will take you down to Gordon beach for a crazy party till 23:00. Lots of DJs, costumes, sun and booze for everyone. This will be followed by a host of official parties. Check out this page for a list of them. You can also buy tickets there.
If you’re feeling more radical, you can join the Radical Pride march that will be turning left instead of right at the corner of Bograshov and Ben Yehuda St. By nature, I assume it will be a much smaller march, as most people just want the big party.
If you want to do this instead, you can just meet there at 13:30 or start off at Gan Meir and then split off the main march. Here’s a bit of blurb about the Radical March and why it exists taken from the Facebook event page (I’ve made no changes to the text):
“Are you tired of the commercialization of Pride?
Are you tired of not having your voice heard?
Don’t want to fallow along with the mainstream?
If you take a right- you will end up at a meaningless beach party.
BUT – if you take a left…
Oppression of different identities stems from a common root. The Radical* March offers a struggle based on solidarity between these identities. The radical parade invites you to march under your identity, without having to process or tone it down. We, LGBTQ activists, allies, see a shared base between different identities and their personal experiences of oppression. We believe in the power when our hands are joined together against the oppression.
Why is it different from the municipal parade?
The municipal parade marches for equality between identities and not for the diversity between them. Marching in the municipal parade means marching for the struggle to fit in the mainstream; So, if you prefer liberation over equality- join us at the radical parade. If you’re unwilling to march along another “Absolut and Durex for the right to marry”- you’re welcome to join us.
When the commercialized municipal parade takes a right turn from Bugrashov st. to Ben-Yehouda st., the radical parade will take a left. In the parade we shall protest and present resistance, solidarity and liberation. Join us; if you believe in solidarity between identities and that the root of oppression is the same for all. Bring your protest signs, your friends and all of the courage, fury and love within you and take a left with us.
Friday, June 10th 2011; if you wish to march in the municipal parade, you can attend the gathering at Gan Meir at 11:00 am. If you wish to boycott the municipal parade, we’ll meet at the point of departure- corner of Bugrashov and Ben Yehouda st. at 1:30 pm.
An open stage will be available at the closing event. You’re invited to bring your own texts, speak up, or perform. Please contact us in advance.
* Radical, from late Latin radicalis, meaning-“of roots” and from Latin radix meaning- “root”. Radical politics wish to change the oppressive structure of society from the root.”
I agree,we need an alternative Gay Pride Parade.Lets face it the traditional Parade of exhibitionist Gay hedonism,and Drag Queens says what exactly??Certainly the straight Community don’t understand it,and as a gay don’t feel it represents the struggle for total emancipation which Gay Pride is all about.
It looks and sounds like a Brazilian style carnival,an annual event for swinging Tel Aviv to boast about
.Its whats missing that tells me we are still very much in the closet.Lack of Sponsorship,and advertising as the Israeli business community doesn’t want to be seen associating with Gays, and where are the professional groups as seen in Pride Marches in other Capital Cities.No Gay Police/Fireman/ Army soldiers/Air line Crews..why??
Tel Aviv Pride…lots of people..lots of fun on the beach..but whats the message?..not a lot I’m afraid