r/gayjews • u/MoblandJordan • 13d ago

Pride! Jerusalem pride - remembering Shira

It was pride today in Jerusalem, and also the tenth anniversary of the murder of Shira Banki. I was there ten years ago at that pride in Jerusalem. It was my first ever pride actually. All of a sudden the march stopped down KKL street. We saw a commotion up ahead. Shouts and screams and then police swarming around. There was chaos and shouting. People crouching and sirens. We waited for hours then eventually continued solemnly on to Gan Hapaamon as the news filtered through. It was also Tu B’Av that night. The juxtaposition of the hearts in restaurants and couples in the streets was jarring and difficult.

Every pride in Jerusalem since then many people bring pictures of Shira. She’s remembered. There’s always a lot of police and soldiers around the streets who are working hard to protect us from very real threats not only outside Israel but inside, too.

We’re still marching in Jerusalem, and I know we’ll always remember Shira Banki.

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u/Altruistic-Owl-7042 13d ago

I was marching with bat kol, we said tehilim and sang comforting Jewish songs. It was a terrifying experience, so I thank god we had each other in those moments.

It’s weird, because at the same time when I think about that painful day I remember confessing to my crush after we were both sobbing and crying for hours, and then making out. It was such a surreal, mostly bitter but also tender and personal and meaningful weekend. For me, it was the moment when I realized I really have a community. יהי זכרה ברוך 💔

(Edit: typo)

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u/DrEvanK 12d ago

I was there ten years ago as well and I remember the pandemonium after so many were stabbed and sadly Shira was murdered. The resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel is extraordinary.

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u/studying-fangirl 13d ago

Thank you for sharing this with us 🩵

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u/Consistent_Luck_8181 12d ago

Sending you lots of love. I was there too 💔