Over 100,000 people gathered along Tel Aviv’s seafront promenade on June 25, 2021 to march in one of the largest pride parades held worldwide since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tel Aviv Pride Parade marked the climax of the annual Pride Month celebrations in the city, taking place every June since 1998 and attracting hundreds of thousands of Israelis and foreign visitors who join the citywide festivities every June.
The Tel Aviv Pride Parade, widely recognised as one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ events and the largest event of its kind in the Middle East, returned in its mass-participant format courtesy of Israel’s high vaccination rates and lifting of all restrictions on public and private gatherings.
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo: “I am delighted to be here and celebrate with you again! LGBTQ+ rights are not simply a matter for the gay community. They are a matter of democracy and humanity. I wish everyone a wonderful Pride Month. Let’s always meet on such happy occasions!”
Sharon Landes-Fischer, CEO of Tel Aviv Global & Tourism: “Tel Aviv Pride came roaring back today, reminding the world that our city is the leading LGBTQ+ destination in the Middle East. This year’s parade had added significance, with tens of thousands reunited as we return to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are already looking forward to June 2022 when all our friends from overseas will join us along the parade route again. See you soon in Tel Aviv-Yafo.”
Pride festivities continued through the weekend, with tens of thousands of partygoers joining major after-parties, including one featuring internationally celebrated DJ and gay icon Offer Nissim. This year, the slogan ‘A Community That Creates Change’ has been at the center of the Pride Month events, born of the desire to strengthen social involvement and shared activities within LGBTQ+ community groups and wider society.
