I do think that a big reason Tel Aviv is so popular is its beautiful and people won't chop your heads off there. Where else are g@ys in the middle east going to go? NYC? Yep.  Number 2 on the list.  Personally, I would go to Tel Aviv any day rather than NYC.  But Maria, saying Israel isn't any more spiritually bereft than the US isn't that comforting to us from the US.  We would really, really prefer Israel was doing much better than we are here.  It will one day.  In truth, I would be more comfortable among the secular I think that some of the ultra-orthodox areas.  I don't agree with spitting or throwing stones at people who dress different or sit in the wrong seats of the bus. But anywhere in Israel would be fine by me.  I don't mind wearing a hat, and I already have a beard.

I wondered the same thing Leroy.  I truly hope not.  Their hearts may be hardened now, but a time of softening is nearly here and I have hope for them.