She’s Not in the Castro District Anymore

November 6, 2006 - 8:31 PM by Allison

Stephanie’s got a unique perspective on the controversy surrounding the Gay Pride Parade, her being from San Francisco and everything…

Here in Holy Land Central (HLC), a storm’s a’ brewin over the impending Gay Pride Parade to be held in Jerusalem November 10.

According to local news reports, ultra religious Jews, Muslims and right wing groups are threatening to sabotage the parade with eggs and razor blades (!) thrown from rooftops and rabbis are calling for a “holy war” (do they mean jihad per chance?) against parade-goers.

The rhetoric increases across the divide each day and police are on high alert for THE BIG DAY. Last year, a few parade celebrants were stabbed when an ultra-orthodox Jew went on a stabbing rampage.

So call me silly but:

- I GET that we’re in Holy Land Central and that religious implications up the ante and all. But coming from San Fran I view things in a slightly different light. What exactly should the gay population do? Pretend to be straight and go back into the closet? C’mon. That creates insanity and all sorts of unwanted side effects not to mention twisted and sordid behavior.

- Aren’t the religious among us considered “out there” by mainstreamers? Does that mean we should throw razor blades from rooftops at those sporting long beards, side locks, skullcaps and wigs or donning long sleeves and fur-lined hats in 100-degree heat? Call me hippie child but we’re all god’s kids no matter what gender our partner happens to be. Amen.

- Speaking of the big “G”, how god-like is throwing razor blades from rooftops anyhow?

Tolerance is tolerance is tolerance. I’m inclined to mosey on up to J-Town to check it out the day of. Then again, maybe not. Once you’ve witnessed 6-inch stiletto heels and hair big enough to make John Waters proud, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Dykes on Bikes and the gay fire and police brigades making their way down Market Street on extravagant floats, all else sort of pales.

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