LGBTQ-PHOBIA - STATUS REPORT - IN ISRAEL #9

Nir Katz Nir katz was born on July 18th 1983 to his mother Ayala Katz, And his father Rami Katz (RIP) who has fallen during IDF reserved training, on the e vent known as the T z e ’elim Disaster in July 1990. Nir was 7 years old at the time. Nir grew up in Givatayim and later moved to Modiyn. When he was 18, he joined one of the Intelligence cyber units in the IDF, as a programmer. After his release from active service, Nir started his academic studies of computer science at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya. After he came out of the closet, and while sharing his life with his partner, Thomas, Nir who has chosen a lifestyle of giving back to the community and beli e ved in strengthening the LGBTQ comminity, was volunteering for the LGBTQ community center as an instructor at The Aguda’s youth club, the “Barnoar”. On Saturday night of August 1st, 2009, at the exit of the Shabbat, A masked man dressed in black walked into the LGBTQ center, on Nahmani st. in Tel Aviv. At that time the youth club, “Barnoar”’s activity was ongoing. The murderous man, holding a loaded gun in his hand, began shooting e veryone who was present in the center. The night ended with 10 wounded people, tens of victims of anxiety, and 2 deaths: Liz T rubishi and Nir Katz.

May they rest in peace.