One of the world’s largest Pride parades kicked off on June 14 in the streets of the city that never sleeps, Tel Aviv. Israelis and tourists were dancing and celebrating all over the city, making the 2019 Tel Aviv Pride festival one of the largest Pride Parades in the Middle East’s.
As it is every year, participants included children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. The pride event welcomed all with only one rule: spreading LOVE.
The preparation for the parade in Tel-Aviv started weeks before with the decoration of the city. Shops, beaches, restaurants, flags and even the pedestrian crossing have hoisted the colors of the LGTB community. The colorful rainbow was seen almost everywhere around the city and the slogan “We are proud of you” was seen on various storefronts.
Since its beginning in 2008, the Tel Aviv Pride parade has brought together millions of people to celebrate and party in the city. This year, over a quarter million participants from around the world were out on the streets. The event was the place to be in Tel Aviv and a perfect way to start the summer season most happening city in Israel.
The festivities kicked-off on Ben Zion Boulevard, and traveled along Bugrashov Street, Ben Yehuda and Ben Gurion Boulevard, finally culminating at Charles Clore Park. Rainbow floats paraded the streets of Tel Aviv and the city danced to the beat of the crowd and the music.
The highlight of the pride was the 2019 International Ambassador, Neil Patrick Harris. The famous actor, well-known for his roles on TV’s “How I Met Your Mother” amongst others, celebrated with the crowd, danced with Tel Avivians and tourists. Neil Patrick Harris travelled to Israel with his husband to take part in the pride events and to enjoy Israel's tourism sites, food and visiting the LGTB community across the city.
“Tel Aviv Pride has become an important symbol of LGBTQ visibility and acceptance on the world stage,” he said. “We are excited to visit Israel for the first time and honored to be a part of this beautiful celebration to stand with the LGBTQ community both in Israel and across the globe.”
Like every year the party ended in front of a beautiful view on the Mediterranean Sea with vibrant colors, beautiful people and an atmosphere you can’t ignore. Israeli and international artists performed and kept everyone dancing all night long. The famous beach party that ends the annual pride featured Israeli Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai.
The party continued the whole weekend and events took place until Sunday night to prolong the pleasure, making this 2019 parade, the 21st anniversary of Tel Aviv pride, the most successful one in its history. See you next year!