LGBTQ-PHOBIA - STATUS REPORT - IN ISRAEL #9

As part of the program to eradicate LGBTQ discrimination and cyberbullying, this year we contacted “TIKTOK” and Facebook platforms in order to increase digital responses in reporting bullying towards girls and teens and to produce a common strategy between community organizations and social media. As reporting data indicate, tremendous harm is done towards the trans community, thus, we decided to establish a "cyberbullying program trans course” for the first time, which provides knowledge and skills to cyberbullying volunteers about the many difficulties relating to the trans community. In addition to the cyberbullying department dealing with rising LGBTQ discrimination, the Nir Katz reporting Center and the Aguda hotline were at the forefront of trying to provide emotional support to community members who received threatening messages and sought response and emotional support. At the same time, we obtained information on the various cyber-attacks from the Israeli police and the National Cyber organization. Thus, we focused on providing an emotional response as well as providing the victims with self-empowerment through planning and deploying options together with them. This year, similar to last year, we continued to face COVID-19 regulations and routine as well as the entry of a new government, which created both opportunities and new struggles for our community. In 2020, LGBTQ discrimination showed its face mainly close to home or around it. In 2021, however, we exited many lockdowns and began to return to a more familiar life routine: The labour market began to return to normal, the education systems began to function again, public transportation returned to its normal activities and so did the LGBTQ-related discrimination incidents, which gradually spread across the public, educational institutions, state, legal institutions and more. The Aguda, together with other LGBTQ organizations, has led a policy change in a broader aspect with the understanding that together, with a common goal, people will see and hear our voice in all areas much more significantly; this is because our voice resonates louder when we wave the flag together. However, we recognize that we have a long way to go until social, employment, economic, and political equality is achieved that applies to all LGBTQ letters and thus, we shall not remain silent until we achieve it. We call on the government, as we have done with all Israeli governments since our establishment: to take responsibility for all its citizens without discrimination and provide answers and resources for inclusive education, care for the entire LGBTQ community, strengthening and especially regarding the weakened populations within us. We will continue to care for all members of the LGBTQ community and strive to support and assist, as well as encourage the entire LGBTQ community and our supporters to report harmful incidents, so that in the coming years there will be a different reality here: inclusive, accepting, tolerant and benevolent with us all. Summary

Report each case, only then can we continue to produce change!