Tel Aviv Pride Shows Its True Colors

Tel Aviv gathered a quarter of a million people to celebrate Pride with a massive parade and events all over the city in Israel during the second week in June.

On June 5 there was a drag queen show in the park at Gan Meir where several RuPaul Drag Racers were spotted.

Afterwards the NYX Hotel hosted a private Pride party on the outdoor patio.

The next day our tour group visited Beit Dror, the first therapeutic emergency center for LGBT youth in Israel. They are doing important work to shelter young people in difficult situations in that country.

Shfaim Water Park was taken over with a gay day on June 7 for 12 hours of fun and sun. A DJ, lively bars, and chairs in the shade were all part of the experience.

Bravo's Andy Cohen was this year's international ambassador for the parade and spoke at a press conference that day. "This is my first trip to Tel Aviv, but it won't be my last," he said.

This was the 20th year for the Pride parade and it was bigger than ever. There were many differences that set it apart from other parades such as Chicago's where barricades are set up. This was more of a free flowing experience, where people could march and become a part of the celebration.

There were only about 12 floats but they went all out with decorations. The parade runs down the beach and flows into a festival at the end.

A circuit party at the Tel Aviv Convention Center completed the festivities with a performance by Eurovision winner Netta Barkilai.

The next day on June 9 there was an after party just outside of the same convention center with DJ Offer Nissim spinning.

The week was full of festivities to celebrate people being their authentic selves. Everywhere you looked there was a rainbow flag in business windows supporting the community and showing the area's true colors.