Israel/India

Gay pride in Jerusalem, first-ever parade in India

Article published on the 2008-06-26 Latest update 2008-06-27 12:18 TU

This month's annual gay pride parade in Dublin
(Photo: E Kennedy)

A gay pride parade is due to take place in Jerusalem today despite opposition. In India, New Delhi and Bangalore are expecting to see hundreds of marchers in a display of opposition to what organisers call out-dated legislation on gays.

After Israel's Supreme Court rejected a request to ban this year's gay pride parade through Jerusalem, marchers are set to turn out today. The petition to stop the event was submitted by a group of Jewish activists with objections also coming from the city municipality.

In 2005 three participants were stabbed, causing the 2006 event to be held in a stadium. Last year however, participants were back on the streets and marched through King David Street despite protests.

Meanwhile in India the country's first gay pride march is scheduled for this weekend. Activists say that colonial-era laws allow India's authorities to treat gay people as criminals. They also complain of a lack of anti-discrimination legislation.

Parades are planned in New Delhi and in Bangalore. In 1999 only 15 people appeared for a march in Kolkata but this weekend organisers are expecting several hundred people to parade in the two cities.