A gunman has opened fire on a gay youth centre in Tel Aviv tragically killing three people and wounding ten more. Australia may have had a National Day of Action for same sex marriage but while we are fighting for marriage equality, in some parts of the world people are fighting for survival.
The best thing to come out of this story is that all over the country after the shooting, Israelis came out in their masses to condemn the attack and show their support for those caught up in the attack.
Goes to show there’s still a lot education needed. Makes me realize how much I take for granted here in Los Angeles, although violence can happen to anyone, anywhere.
I just want to say, as an Israeli gay man, that Israel is one of the most liberal countries in the world as far as gay rights go. The social atmosphere is usually one of acceptance, and this tragedy is just an isolated, albeit terrible, incident.
Still, the support has come pouring out of the walls, and people are realizing that hate is something none of us want to have in our lives.
Barak,
Israel is one of the most liberal countries as far as gay rights go? That sounds like a lot of ethnocentrism from someone who hasn’t done much traveling to other gay meccas, or hasn’t learned much about them.
You won’t hear about people burning garbage or vandalizing public property over a gay pride parade in my corner of the world, nor will you hear about stupid malcontents hurling glass, feces, or bullets into our gay pride crowds.
Some places are way, way ahead of Israel in regards to gay civil rights in general (never mind the parade). Maybe you’d do well to know about the dynamics in those places to better understand what you might be missing in your own place.
Crazy people are everywhere. I don’t know a lot of countries where gays are afforded full social and financial rights, equal to those of married couples, where gay men and women can adopt each others’ children, can inherit, and get full acknowledgement by government and municipal institutes.
And speaking of ethno-centricity, as you condescendingly described in your offensive comment, try to bear in mind the Israel is a religious country. As much as you and I might not like it, this is a country where public transport ceases on Saturday, where the only type of marriage available is a religious one, and where religion is intricately part of government and the social atmosphere. Taken in context, Israel has taken greater steps in its 61 years of existence than anyone would have imagined.
Sure, I’m not saying it isn’t easier living a gay life in Melbourne of Stockholm, but Israel’s the only homeland I’ve got, and I’ve gotta say I ain’t got it bad here, either.
And just to finish off, in reply to what was really a condescending and offensive comment on your behalf: I grew up in Los Angeles, and have traveled more extensively in my 22 years of age than most, so don’t try and treat me like an un-educated and un-traveled bumpkin.