Part of Spotlight: Diversity in Israel, The Bar Is Proud To Present, LGBT Jewish Films

Following the Castro screening, Nitzan Gilady will participate in a panel on Pride & Prejudice: LGBT Rights in Jewish Life Today.

SHOW YOUR PRIDE! After the SF screening of Jerusalem Is Proud to Present, head across the street to the Bar on Castro for a deal on drinks.

In the summer of 2006, Jerusalem was host, for the first time, to the World Pride events, an annual celebration of LGBT freedom and culture, planned to culminate in a traditional gay pride parade. Nitzan Gilady’s award-winning documentary (Festival Dei Popoli 2007 Audience Award and “Movies That Matter� Human Rights Award, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam 2007) weaves the passions of gay rights activists and community members (including colorfully dressed, earnest young gay and lesbian folks; seasoned, sequined drag queens; a gay member of the Jerusalem city council; and tourists looking for a hot date) into a compelling documentary with a strong narrative arc and an eye and ear for wonderful interviews.

It is hard to imagine that homophobia could create multicultural bonds and quasi-“Kumbaya� moments between ultra-Orthodox rabbis, religious Christians and religious Muslims, but this is what happens when the gay community, with members from all three religions, offers itself as the site for World Pride. With more fervor than a Yankees–Red Sox playoff, Israelis (and visitors) wishing to celebrate their sexuality are pitted against Israelis (and visitors) who see homosexuality as an affront to their religion. Steadfast and admirable in the face of heated and violent anti-gay sentiments, the activists of the Open House—Jerusalem’s LGBT community center—deal with threats that escalate beyond just their right to march. Regardless of your sexual identity or religion, check out this outstanding film and feel the love—mixed with a few barbs, the bitter with the sweet.

—Nancy K. Fishman

Co-sponsored by Michael Ehrenzweig & Wayne Salazar

Co-presented by LGBT Alliance, Congregation Sha'ra Zahav and Frameline