LGBTQ-PHOBIA - STATUS REPORT - IN ISRAEL #9

Many applicants at the “Otot” Association’s out-of-home frameworks, who during COVID-19 outbreak, were forced to remain in their homes and rooms without social interactions and out of a desire to reduce interactions within their nuclear family. This situation continued throughout 2021. Moreover, other populations that are in a significantly vulnerable situation are the religious and Arab sectors who experience a sad reality where there is a huge fear when reporting incidents of LGBTQ discrimination. Even in 2022, LGBTQ discrimination in the religious and Arab sectors is still violent, many undergo persecution, many are evicted from their homes and more. Some members of the LGBTQ community in the religious and Arab sectors struggle to get out of the closet alone, with only a small number of them turning to organizations for help. In a joint effort with the Ministry of Welfare, a tender was published to establish new frameworks in terms of geographical distribution, in terms of religion and in terms of age groups. These efforts wish to place religious and Arab members of the community in out-of-home frameworks. In the Arab sector, the “Beit El-Meem” organization works directly with the LGBTQ sectoral community and throughout 2021, it launched campaigns to encourage the reporting and eradicating of the LGBTQ stigma within the Arab society. The “Chevruta” and “Bat-Kol” organizations operate dedicated support groups for religious and ultra-Orthodox LGBTQ people. “Chevruta” operates a support system for victims of conversion therapies and provides a response by clerics, while “Bat-Kol” operates a "For you" center that provides a response from rabbis, as well as a psychosocial framework which is tailored for religious and ultra-Orthodox women in the closet. Throughout the year, the activity increased, and an additional supportive system was opened for women who were thrown out of their homes. Another project operates which dedicates Saturdays for hospitality and an online support center that operates 24/6. Community coping

The Periphery Arena Key arenas for 2021

"When we came to the Pride event, I put a pride flag on myself and my child. As I was finishing tying the flag, we were thrown eggs at and sprayed with tear gas. I was very humiliated, and I felt terrible for my child. We came to the parade so that he would feel whole within himself." / L, Southern Israel. * Pride activities and involvement in the periphery refer to the social and geographical periphery. We also measure the data of community members who have experienced LGBTQ discrimination outside central Israel. In addition, the area of data refers to vulnerability in public places only.

Segmentation according to geographical area

Be’er Sheva & Southern Israel 11%

Tel Aviv &Central Israel 49%

Haifa & Northen Israel 15%

Sharon Area 6%

Jerusalem Region 19%