On the International Day Against Homophobia, the Meretz Knesset faction salutes the gay/lesbian community in Israel, wishing it equality in all spheres, and a future in which homophobia and discrimination are buried deep inside the closet.

It is sad that, in the 21st century, there are still children thrown out of their homes because of their sexual preferences, it is dangerous for people to march in gay pride parades, gays and lesbians cannot marry in Israel, and Magen David Adom [Israel’s “Red Cross”] refuses to use blood donations made by gay men.

The Meretz party, in the present, as in the past and future, declares its commitment to fight for fully equal rights for the gay/lesbian community in Israel. Meretz, the only party in the world that sponsors a gay/lesbian youth movement, warmly embraces the members of the gay/lesbian community on this day and reiterates its historic bond with this community – starting with the leading role it took in 1988, when it helped abolish the legal ban against male homosexual relations in Israel.