It's not a victory lap, it's a protest: My Pride month message to Israel - opinion

Pride Month in Israel, like in many parts of the world, is a time for celebration and reflection on the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights. Israel stands out in the Middle East as a place where LGBTQ+ individuals can live openly, form families, participate in government, and march freely with rainbow flags. The presence of openly gay members of Knesset and the unhindered operation of LGBTQ+ organizations underscore these advancements.

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Israel remains one of the few places in the Middle East where LGBTQ+ people can live openly, build families, serve in government, advocate publicly, and march through the streets with rainbow flags.

However, the article strongly argues that Pride should not be mistaken for a victory lap but rather recognized as an ongoing protest. While acknowledging the significant strides, it highlights that activists' work extends beyond June, involving year-round advocacy for better laws, support for vulnerable youth, and community building. The piece cautions against "pinkwashing," where support for LGBTQ+ people is limited to symbolic gestures.

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My view is simple: it is only pinkwashing if your support for LGBTQ+ people begins and ends with a rainbow logo in June.

Despite the celebrated progress, substantial barriers persist for LGBTQ+ Israelis. Same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognized, but couples cannot marry within Israel, forcing many to travel for the right. LGBTQ+ youth continue to face disproportionately high rates of bullying and mental health challenges. Transgender Israelis navigate systems that often lack understanding and accommodation, and many religious LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to reconcile their faith with their identity. The article stresses that while pride in achievements is warranted, the demand for further equality must continue.

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But Pride was never supposed to be a victory lap. It was always a protest.

The author expresses hope, citing firsthand observations of societal change within Israel. The Jerusalem Pride march, in particular, is presented as an example of activism's persistence, existing because individuals refused to accept that LGBTQ+ visibility should be confined to specific cities or neighborhoods. This ongoing struggle, the article implies, is the true spirit of Pride.

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Yes, Israel has made enormous progress. Same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognized by the state, and that matters. But gay Israelis still cannot get married in their own country.