Thousands of members of Tel Aviv’s GLBT community along with endless straight-supporters have taken to the streets to protest the tragic murder of three local gay-folk who were killed tonight in a shooting at a GLBT community center.
In a scene that many are calling a “slaughterhouse”, a black-clad gunman stormed the community center last night during a meeting of gay teen-agers.
Along with the three dead — 12 are injured, many seriously; many were not even out to their families.
After the attack, protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv, armed with banners and rainbow flags to express their outrage over the attack.
Meanwhile, Israel — all too familiar with terror and gunmen — has shut down the city looking for the assailant and closed all gay gathering spots as a precautionary measure.
One heartening development — members of Shas, Israel’s notoriously homo-phobic rightist Religious party, have condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims.
“We are shocked and bereaved, and denounce without reservation the murderous incident that targeted Tel Aviv’s gay community,” the said the party, after banners during tonight’s protest accused Shas of formenting anti-gay attitudes.
The attack is all the more saddening considering the tremendous strives Tel Aviv has made in supporting and cultivating GLBT rights and safety — measure at times extend far beyond levels here in the USA.
See the video below for more shocking details. Further updates tomorrow — including we are certain, a vocal response from Tel Aviv gay hero, porn king Michael Lucas.
[...] currently in police custody in Israel has emerged as a leading suspect in the horrific attack on a GLBT community center in Tel Aviv which left two people dead, dozens injured and rocked the seaside city known for its tolerance and [...]