In the absence of the annual Pride parade, Tel Aviv continued to observe LGBT Pride month, lighting up its municipal hall with colours for pride on Sunday evening. Tel Aviv is noted as one of the top destinations in the world for LGBTQ travellers and has consistently made massive strides in support and recognition of the community.
Tel Aviv pride is one of the most famous and busiest parades globally, attracting people from all over the world.
In 2019, the parade attracted over 250,000 people from around the globe, in celebration and support of the community. Israel was the hotspot of celebrations and massive crowds joined to celebrate. Now in 2020, the pandemic failed to halt the celebrations. Rainbow flags lined the streets, and virtual parties continued.
In addition, in a landmark ruling, the Tel Aviv municipality announced earlier this month that unmarried couples, which includes same-sex couples, are now allowed to register as family units, which helps cut through the bureaucratic red tape needed for families, such as when attempting to enrol children in schools in the city.
Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai said: “We hope the government will also enter the 21st century and uphold the rights of the LGBT community in law… the right to marry, have equal parental responsibilities, be protected from hate crimes along with workplace bullying, and more”.
