Video: Thousands participate in the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem (Photo: Yotam Ronen)
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio announced Thursday that he will hold wedding ceremonies for LGBT couples in his office at City Hall. "As long as the law does not allow freedom of marriage and equal rights for the gay community, then local authorities should do their utmost to fill the vacuum," said Havilio, who is taking the initiative ahead of next week's Pride and Tolerance parade in the capital.
"This initiative is being implemented against the backdrop of homophobic remarks recently made by several members of the Jerusalem City Council. For every dark elected official who tries to harm the gay community, we need to bring 10 gay couples to get married at City Hall, and another 10,000 Jerusalemites to participate in the Pride and Tolerance Parade," Havilio added. "Against those who spread ignorance and hatred, we will insist on spreading love. Jerusalem belongs to everyone."
Yossi Havilio (Photo: official website, "Saving Jerusalem" faction)
The deputy mayor explained that in order to hold a ceremony or sign an affidavit, one must register on the registration form, and arrive on the day of the parade between 10:00 and 14:00. "The signature of proud winners on an affidavit of 'common-law couples' has legal significance, and the ceremonies will be a symbolic status that in my view is of course no less important," Havilio wrote.
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