In 1988, Israel legalized same-sex sexual activity, and in 1993, the country started allowing openly gay and lesbian citizens to serve in the military. Israel, by contrast, is the region’s queer haven, and Tel Aviv serves as its epicenter. In most Middle East countries, openly identifying as LGBTQ+ can be dangerous, if not deadly. The best parks and beaches in gay Tel Aviv.
Where to shop in Tel Aviv for LGBTQ-friendly goods.The best gay areas for LGBTQ+ travelers.We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. The Pink City is so gay that when June rolls around, Pride flags fly everywhere, be it Jaffa’s ancient gates, Rothschild’s buzzy promenade, and even the jetties lining Tel Aviv’s powder-sand beaches.Ĭall Tel Aviv what you like - daring, international, hedonistic, hip - but nothing describes the Hill of Spring quite like pink. The Pink City is so gay that it catapulted the careers of gender-fluid DJ Offer Nissim, trans-Eurovision winner Dana International, and gay film director Eytan Fox. When 25 percent of the population identifies as LGBTQ+, there’s no need for a rainbow zip code. The Pink City is so gay it doesn’t have a gayborhood.
