LGBTQ EQUALITY LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE - In Memory of Major Sagi Golan

"Live as an equal and let go of comparisons. Do not compare others, others to each other, or even to yourself. Cherish the unique beauty in every person, and always see the different as your equal." – Sagi Golan. For years, the LGBTQ community in Israel has tirelessly advocated for full equality of rights. Despite their efforts, discrimination persists across various aspects of life. The Israel-Hamas war highlighted to the Israeli public the daily inequities faced by the LGBTQ community. It underscored the disparity between the significant contributions of LGBTQ individuals to Israeli society and the persistent discrimination they endure in their everyday lives. We are citizens like everyone else, present in every corner of Israel, and we all deserve full equality as human beings. The late Major Sagi Golan has become a symbol of inspiration, exemplifying an LGBTQ officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war. On the morning of October 7, Sagi, alongside his partner Omer Ohana, awoke in their home in Herzliya to the sound of sirens. Their wedding suits, prepared for the following week, hung next to their IDF uniforms. After a brief, heartfelt farewell, Sagi, a reserve team commander in the counter terrorism unit, rushed to his base without being called. He led his team to Kibbutz Be'eri as one of the first responders, rescuing families and engaging in combat to protect the kibbutz residents until Sagi heroically fell in battle on October 8. Sagi's untimely death occurred before he could marry Omer, the love of his life, and realize their dream of building a family together. Thanks to persistent advocacy, the state recognized Omer as an IDF widower, ensuring equal legal status for LGBTQ widows and widowers. Sagi's life and sacrifice exemplify love for the country, a sense of responsibility, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Sagi believed in Israel, equality, and the potential for individuals to create a better world. His volunteer work with organizations such as Paamonim, the Jerusalem Entrepreneurship Center, the Jewish Agency, and the Kadima Youth House reflects his dedication to social justice. Thousands of LGBTQ community members have and continue to serve Israeli society during its most challenging time, contributing in various capacities, from front-line military roles to medical, educational, and social efforts. Equal in burden, equal in responsibility, equal in life-threatening situations – but not equal in rights. In memory of Major Sagi Golan and for the benefit of all LGBTQ individuals in Israel, we present the LGBTQ Equality Legislative Package to the Knesset. This package aims to ensure equal rights for the LGBTQ community, encompassing: • Equality in protection : Prohibiting incitement and discrimination and recognizing hate crime victims. • Equality for LGBTQ families : Ensuring marriage, parenting, and family rights.

• Equality for LGBTQ fallen servicemembers : Recognizing widowers and widows and allowing the use of a deceased soldier’s sperm. In his death, he commanded us to achieve equality.

Major Sagi Golan

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