lea_hazel: Pride flag (Politics: GLBTQ)
lea_hazel ([personal profile] lea_hazel) wrote2010-07-29 11:15 pm

Pride 2010

Pride was hard this year. We marched on the Knesset (the house of representatives) because of the general apathy that followed many bold declarations after last year's shooting, almost exactly a year ago. Many politicians made bold proclamations about the future of gay rights in Israel, the ministry of tourism is actively courting the pink dollar by trying to market Tel Aviv as a gay-friendly tourist destination. Words are pretty cheap, though, and homophobic and transphobic attacks are not yet included in hate crime legislation, among some 700 (!) other inequalities in Israeli law.

Jerusalem pride always has a very strong political slant, but this year was more of a demonstration than ever. There was a counter demonstration of course, but a slim showing of only ~30 radical right activists, and some passersby swore at the walkers. Most just stand by and gawk, I look at them and I can't even tell if it's malice in their eyes or if they look at us as some sort of zoo marching right before their houses. Because of the route the walk was noticeably longer this year, and it wore me down. I stopped to rest a few times but this city definitely needs more benches. Still, I am so glad I went. I missed it for work last year and it was depressing as all hell.

I will turn in and read a bit now, I'm wiped and I have to start studying again Saturday. Organic chemistry is next week and I have put off studying for far too long already. I'm aiming at an 80 or higher. Higher would be nice, I'd like a grade to be really proud of.