Jerusalem's international gay pride festival cancelled due to disengagement

The international gay pride festival that was set to take place in august 2005 in Jerusalem has been cancelled. A coalition consisting of various religious groups was formed in response to the World Pride Parade. The coalition claimed that the parade will end religious tourism to Jerusalem. Clerics warned that such a gathering would invoke God's wrath and consistently called homosexuality a "sin." Others, like Rabbi Yehuda Levine, of the Rabbinic Council of America, said the event would be a "spiritual rape" of the city.By Haaretz ServiceThe international gay pride festival that was set to take place this summer in Jerusalem has been cancelled due to the disengagement, Army Radio reported on Sunday.The World Pride Parade was set to be held in August, which is when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's planned pullout from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank is slated to take place.The festival will be held in a different city this year and organizers say it will likely be rescheduled for Jerusalem in August 2006.A coalition consisting of various religious groups - including Evangelical Christians, Shas, and MK Benny Elon - was formed in recent months in response to the World Pride Parade. The coalition claimed that the parade will end religious tourism to Jerusalem.Clerics warned that such a gathering would invoke God's wrath and consistently called homosexuality a "sin." Others, like Rabbi Yehuda Levine, of the Rabbinic Council of America, said the event would be a "spiritual rape" of the city.In April, leaders of Jerusalem's liberal Jewish movements voiced their support for the event and denounced the coalition of Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders opposed to the event as a "desecration of God."At a joint press conference in the capital's Open House, representatives of the Conservative (Masorti), Reform and Reconstructionist movements said that the "unholy alliance" that has emerged between the unlikely allies, which includes both of Israel's chief rabbis, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Catholic Archbishop Pietro Sambi and leaders of the Muslim community, is a misuse of religious authority by people who should be "more concerned with justice" than with bigotry.Liberal Orthodox leaders, though invited, declined to take part in the panel supporting the World Pride Parade.In late April, unidentified arsonists set fire to Shushan, a gay and lesbian bar in Jerusalem. Shushan is the only gay bar in the city. It is run by Sa'ar Netanel, a Meretz representative on Jerusalem's city council. Netanel was also active in planning the World Pride Parade.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------May 14 Press Release from Jerusalem Oopen House (JOH)http://www.worldpride.net/index.php?id=483Jerusalem, May 14, 2005 - Following the Israeli Prime Minister_s decision to postpone the launch date of the Gaza pullout to August 16, the Jerusalem Open House (JOH) today announced that the Jerusalem WorldPride events have been rescheduled, and will take place on August 6-12, 2006.JOH Chairperson Noa Sattath explained: _Tolerance, pluralism and equality are WorldPride_s guiding principles,_ explained Sattath."Holding WorldPride during the Gaza pullout would do injustice to those values. We have taken this decision out of consideration to the most difficult political climate expected in Israel this August. As a community we are deeply engaged in the complex reality surrounding us."WorldPride was originally set for August 18-28, 2005, a time that is now poised to coincide with the new dates just announced for the implementation of the plan known as Israel_s disengagement from Gaza.As the WorldPride events planned to take place in Jerusalem this summer have now been rescheduled, the JOH has also announced that the annual, local Jerusalem Pride will take place this year on June 30."Pride in Jerusalem has already become a symbol for the courage and determination of Jerusalem_s diverse LGBT community," said Hagai El-Ad, JOH Executive Director. "This June, we will show for the fourth consecutive year in Jerusalem that love has no borders."Jerusalem Open House (JOH) is one of the Middle East_s leading LGBT service and advocacy organizations. It is a catalyst for encouraging pluralism and respect of human rights among all Jerusalem residents, helping to create a more tolerant society. Licensed by InterPride - The International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Pride Coordinators - WorldPride in Jerusalem will be the second such event, following Rome WorldPride 2000. In a statement issued by InterPride, the organization expressed its understanding of the decision made by the JOH. "We are in full support of the JOH in their decision to postpone World Pride" reads a statement issued by InterPride. "InterPride will extend our licensing agreement to reflect the new date of World Pride on August 2006"Jerusalem WorldPride will bring a new focus to an ancient city through a unique international opportunity to make a global statement for peace, tolerance, freedom, and love.