Tel Aviv - Event

Israel's biggest gay and lesbian Pride attracts 80,000 party people each year - an excellent turn-out for a city that has a population of only 350,000. This year's parade starts in the centre of town and will end at Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv's largest public park, where the party continues with well-known local DJs and live music.

The event is still in its infancy compared to other Gay Prides around the world - the first only taking place in 1998 - but the gay and lesbian population of Israel have embraced it with open arms - no doubt spurred on by the success of Dana International, Eurovision song contest winner in 1998 and Israel's highest-profile transsexual.

Although homosexuality was only decriminalised in Israel in 1988, the country's laws on homosexuality seem progressive - especially when one considers the strong Orthodox Jewish representation in Israel's Knesset. Israel prohibited workplace discrimination in 1992 and, although there is no civil marriage in Israel (even for heterosexual couples), both the Supreme Court and the military have recognised same-sex domestic partners as eligible for spousal benefits.

"You only see pictures of Israel when rocks are being thrown," marcher Kinneret Golan told reporters in 2000. "I'm proud that despite everything we can still do this."