The complex reality of LGTBI people in Israel beyond the controversy of Pinkwashing
GAYLES.TV.- The current situation that, in the political-military sphere, faces Israel with Palestine it has triggered criticism of its LGTBI policies throughout the West. Especially in the European left parties and in the activist groups for the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. They accuse the Israeli government of practicing what it has come to be called PINKWASHING, that is to say, to wash the bad image generated because of the confrontation with Palestine abounding in the propaganda related to the advanced policies of protection to the collective LGTBI. More recently with special emphasis on the massive celebration of PRIDE in Tel Aviv. For inverse reasons some political groups close to the right defend at all costs the policies of the State of Israel appropriating a speech and arguments that do not belong to them because they are the result of years of struggle of the groups of Israeli LGTBI activists.
I do not know how to justify here the policies of the Israeli executive in relation to the occupied territories, but we do believe that it is unfair not to take into account the people who are part of the collective in that country and who do not always share the policies of their rulers. . It is important to separate the grain from the straw, because by boycotting the PRIDE or Eurovision or any other event that relates Israel / LGTBI, we are negating, marginalizing and harming those who work from within to improve the living conditions of LGTBI people.
That is why it is important to dialogue with these people and provide here the objective data they have given us about the real situation that, in many cases, exceeds that of Western countries that criticize them. The first very clear argument that we already address in the article "Tel Aviv, the dazzling PRIDE" that you can recover here, is that it is somewhat hypocritical to criticize the situation of LGTBI policies in Israel without taking into account in what situation the affected people live in the rest of the countries of the Middle East. For many Israel and very specifically Tel Aviv, it is a refuge, perhaps not paradise, but a space of freedom where they are not persecuted and must not renounce their identity.
Of shows a button: Barcelona has just inaugurated, specifically on January 19 of this year, the first LGTBI Center destined to cover diverse needs of the group. Well, the LGBTQ CENTER Tel Aviv has just celebrated its tenth anniversary in a headquarters that has gardens, terraces, meeting rooms, nursery space for creatures, etc, etc .... And that supports health, education, family, work and any other level to people of all ages, creeds and backgrounds.
There exist, both at the governmental and associative level, groups destined to guide and inform about everything related to the problem that supposes for many people to reconcile their beliefs with their sexual orientation or with their gender identity and that support is offered regardless of whether one is a Jew, a Muslim or a Christian.
Special mention deserves the educational activities in schools, especially in the secondary stage aimed at promoting coexistence, respect for diversity and integration. A work that seeks to work with the youngest to sow the seeds of a future of coexistence without discrimination. This type of talks and work also take place in companies throughout the country, seeking to avoid any type of discriminatory situation in the workplace.
In an institution as highly valued in Israel as the army, sexual orientation does not pose any type of problem to take part, but the condition of transgender person is not an inconvenience to join the armed forces.
Precisely attention to transgender people from public health is one of the most advanced on the planet. At Ichilov Weizman Hospital We were able to visit the Center for Transgender People's Medicine and Health and seek the opinion not only of medical specialists but also of patients. A court composed exclusively of professionals evaluates the treatment and follow-up in transit at the surgical, hormonal, psychological or aesthetic level as well as in the family, social and professional environment. Follow-up that covers long periods until the person is perfectly integrated and placed in his new facet.
Obviously, everything that glitters is not gold. Much remains to be achieved, much to achieve. Equal marriage does not seem possible in the short term and one of the main reasons is the fact that marriages are religious in nature and consequently are not accepted for people of the same sex, but a form of legal union or civil association is currently pending approval. Likewise, marriages celebrated in other countries are recognized even if rights are not equal. There are also limitations on issues related to adoption and parenting. And one thing is clear, the improvements have come through legislation, not through government decisions. Complaint by complaint, complaint by complaint, we have managed to advance our rights. Nobody has given anything away and in fact activism recognizes that the LGTBI issue is not a priority for Parliament and is always postponed.
We do not claim that Israel is an Eden for gays, lesbians or transsexuals, but one thing is certain, that the 80% of the population supports homosexual marriage or understand that it is not fair to have all the duties but not all the rights, it is the result of the silent and constant struggle of associations and groups that expect our support from abroad, not to be boycotted by those who should show solidarity with their work.
Photography: Guy-Yechiely, Montse Trillo
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