June 8, 2012
Tel Aviv celebrates gay pride
People surround a float as it is driven down a street during an annual Gay pride parade in Tel Aviv on June 8. Photo by REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Tel Aviv launched gay pride festivities Friday.
Rainbow flags and balloons festooned the city’s streets and an array of celebrities and politicians addressed the crowd of thousands.
Among the speakers were Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro. Wearing a shirt featuring a rainbow flag, the symbol of the gay community, Shapiro told Ynet that the United States supports the rights of the LGBT community in Israel and worldwide.
A parade culminated with a beach party.



