The Aguda The Association for LGBTQ Equality Annual Report 2024

Advancing Policy and Protecting the LGBTQ+ Community Achieving Equality Through Legislation

Over the past year, attempts to harm the LGBTQ+ community have intensified, with new challenges emerging in the wake of October 7. Despite difficulties in promoting policies beneficial to the community, we identified opportunities and worked to promote equality and ensure a safe environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the most significant victories was the Fallen Soldiers' Families Law amendment to include same-sex couples. This change gained attention following the tragic loss of Maj. Sagi Golan in the battle for Kibbutz Be'eri and the subsequent discrimination his partner Omer faced from the Ministry of Defense. This milestone later supported Edi Levi, the widower of Adir Kadosh, in eerily similar circumstances—just days before their planned wedding. These stories fuel our ongoing fight for equal rights. At the same time, we actively opposed legislative initiatives that threatened the community. We successfully defended LGBTQ+ support hotlines by opposing the "Kosher Phone Law," which threatened to censor "undesirable" content for the ultra-Orthodox sector, cutting off access to vital mental health and emergency resources. Our advocacy ensured the law’s text was revised to prevent future blocking of LGBTQ+ support hotlines and established an effective oversight mechanism. We also preserved surrogacy accessibility by blocking attempts to repeal regulations allowing the import of fertilized eggs, a crucial option primarily for men pursuing surrogacy while also benefiting surrogates. Another critical action was our intervention to prevent the appointment of the Minister of Communications’ proposed Director General, who self-identified as a "proud homophobe" and actively worked against LGBTQ+ rights. We appealed to the Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments, opposing the nomination, which later disqualified his candidacy, blocking a dangerous appointment within the public sector.

Currently, we are fighting cuts to LGBTQ+ funding within the Ministry for Social Equality, which funds essential programs for reducing disparities, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals in Israel’s geographic and social peripheries. In the coming year, we will continue advancing the "LGBTQ Equality Legislative Package," legislative initiatives aimed at securing equal rights in family matters, protection from discrimination and incitement, and full equality for all members of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel.

LGBTQ Equality Legislative Package

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