This is what one of the biggest LGBT pride parades in the Middle East looks like.

This year's parade focused on supporting gender diversity and trans people.

 Parker Molloy
06.13.15

On June 12, more than 100,000 people filled the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel, for the annual gay pride parade.

The yearly celebration drew as many as 180,000 people this year, according to some local media estimates, as LGBTQ individuals and their allies came out to party at the largest pride celebration in the region.

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

This year's theme was "Tel Aviv loves all genders."

According to Tel Aviv's tourism website, the theme represents a focus on the unique challenges facing the country's transgender community.

"This year the parade will be in support of transgender rights and recognition of their contribution to the LGBT community and the city of Tel Aviv," the website reads. It was also a "call for recognition of their needs and full equal rights for all genders everywhere."

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

While trans people have won a number of recent legal victories in Israel, there's a long way to go.

And that's exactly what the celebration hoped to highlight:

"By putting the transgender community at the forefront of Pride 2015 we hope to promote the visibility of this community, gather support for their achievements and give a helping hand to their future efforts in their fight for recognition and equal rights. Together with this the Pride parade and events continue to reflect the full spectrum of the LGBT community, and will include an activities area for children and families and other still-to-be announced happenings."

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

It seems that around the world, there are a few constants you can count on at any pride celebration.

Such as guys kissing guys.


Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

Ladies kissing ladies.

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

And dudes who look like they stepped right off the set of "300."

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

But overall, it's just a great time to relax, reflect, and regroup for the path forward.

Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

Especially when that path leads to sunbathing on a lawn. Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images.

Happy pride, everyone!

democracy diversity and equality citizenship democracy international lgbtqq
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