World Pride organizers are blaming Middle East violence for the low turnout at this month’s event in Jerusalem.

An estimated 400 people attended World Pride, which began Aug. 6 and concluded Aug. 12. The event came during a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah, and while other clashes raged in the Gaza Strip.

Organizers had hoped to see 10,000 people at World Pride.

“Given all things, it was an extraordinary event,” said Sharon Kleinbaum, World Pride’s North American co-chair. “There were great moments of pride.”

Kleinbaum, head rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in New York, said those who came to World Pride despite the conflict were part of a “once in a lifetime” gathering.

“For those of us who were there, it was a very powerful event,” she said. “It was a really important, redemptive event.”

World Pride in Jerusalem featured a religious conference attended by 300 people, and a youth day that drew 100 visitors. The weeklong gathering, planned since 2003, also offered a film festival and other shows.

A march scheduled for Aug. 10 was cancelled due to security concerns. Members of fundamentalist Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups had threatened to physically block the march, saying it would be an affront to members of all three faiths.

World Pride’s host organization, Jerusalem Open House, is expected to schedule an independent march later this year.

Kleinbaum said the violence north of World Pride “affected everything on some level.”

She said most people who planned to attend the event cancelled, hotels were inundated with refugees, and local volunteers were summoned for military service.

Kleinbaum said she and other World Pride attendees felt safe, but were constantly reminded of the nearby war.

“People were very sobered, and aware of it at all times,” she said. “But at the same time, we managed to have fun and laugh in the face of this, and assert our right to our lives. And that was very meaningful for everyone.”

Kleinbaum said World Pride attendees forged ahead with scheduled events “with great dignity despite the tremendous pressures.”

Youth day activities Aug. 7 included a broad discussion of the challenges faced by gay youth. Speakers noted their peers fear coming out to family or friends because they believe nobody will support them.

Discussions of social and religious equality were held Aug. 8 and 9. The World Pride Multi-faith Convocation explored the ways religious texts “seek equality and call for the respect of human rights.”

Rallies followed on Aug. 9 and 10. The first rally, at the Jerusalem Separation Wall on Aug. 9, was a symbolic show of unity. The second rally, at Liberty Bell Park on Aug. 10, protested homophobia and demanded equality.

Kleinbaum said the Aug. 10 rally was disrupted by an anti-war protest. She noted there was a brief scuffle with police, but the rally’s message was nonetheless conveyed.

“I think it’s essential at times of conflict,” she said, “to put forward a vision of tolerance and pluralism.”

World Pride’s last major event, a religious service led by Kleinbaum, brought attendees together for a peaceful farewell.

‘Prayers were powerful’

Kleinbaum noted that the war ended soon after World Pride’s final prayer gathering.

“I like to think our presence helped to bring about the cease fire,” she said. “I like to say that our prayers were powerful.”

World Pride was last held in Rome in 2000, when the Vatican and other Christian denominations celebrated the 2,000th anniversary of Christianity. Organizers said then the gathering was intended to show that gays have flourished despite years of persecution based on religious beliefs.

Organizers said similar motivations were behind the selection of Jerusalem as host city.

“The greatest traditions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism affirm the dignity of all human beings and our creation in the divine image,” local organizers said in a statement. “There is no better place in the world than Jerusalem to make that statement, and perhaps no city that needs to hear it more.”

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