City ordered to fund gay centre

JERUSALEM (AP):

Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the Jerusalem city government to provide more than $120,000 in funding for a prominent gay community centre.

Yesterday's ruling was the latest sign that a hostile climate toward Jerusalem's gay community may be abating. Since 2002, the city had rejected funding appeals from the Open House for Pride and Tolerance, which organises an annual Pride Parade.

The court said the city must help fund the centre because it serves a significant chunk of the city's population. The city said it would not appeal the decision.