The Aguda The Association for LGBTQ Equality Annual Report 2024

Community Support During Wartime

Amid a year of challenges and upheaval, we worked to ensure a sense of security, stability, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community. The Aguda's support services provided meaningful, comprehensive assistance, recognizing the critical importance of community solidarity during crises. Research shows LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges in emergencies due to the combination of war-related trauma and distinct social pressures, necessitating tailored emotional and health responses. To meet these needs, we offered free emotional counseling to dozens of community members through individual and group sessions led by social workers. Dedicated support groups were established for LGBTQ+ Arab community members and reservists, fostering belonging and resilience. Additional groups are planned to help members cope with stress and war-related challenges. Our hotline extended its hours, handling over 2,000 distress calls with an emergency framework during critical times. To manage increased demand, we recruited 27 new volunteers who underwent specialized training to address wartime issues. We also deepened our focus on sensitive topics like domestic violence and suicide prevention. Recognizing a rise in distress and substance use, we partnered with the Israel AIDS Taskforce, LGBTQ+ Healthcare, and the Tel Aviv LGBTQ+ Center to survey substance use patterns. This collaboration led to harm-reduction initiatives, including mental health workshops and a joint campaign with the Israel Center on Addiction to raise awareness and promote well-being. Given the rise in suicides and the urgent need for legal recognition of LGBTQ+ families, we provided accessible information through webinars and digital platforms. Our relaunched legal aid department, now staffed by a dedicated attorney, offers in-house discrimination and family formalization services, including cohabitation agreements, parenting agreements, adoption orders, and more. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to supporting every individual, providing tools for resilience, and fostering community strength. Together, we will navigate these times and emerge stronger.

"The group was a place of anchoring and release for me – a comforting hand when everything outside was in turmoil."

41 % 21 % 30 % 27 %

42 %

Show increased interest in drugs since October 7 50 %

Are using drugs they had not tried before

Started using in new situations

Feel a loss of control over their use

Increased drug use since the war began

Worried more about their friends than before

* An online survey conducted in May 2024 by The Aguda, the Israel AIDS Taskforce, LGBTQ+ Healthcare, and the Tel Aviv LGBTQ+ Center with 965 participants nationwide.

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