Israel Gay Youth (IGY) ( he, ארגון נוער גאה, ''Irgun Noar Ge'eh'',
lit. "Proud Youth Organization"; he, איגי, ''Igy'', "IGY") was founded in
2001
The September 11 attacks against the United States by Al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror, were a defining event of 2001. The United States led a Participants in ...
in
Israel as a non-profit
NGO, branching off from the
Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association
Israeli may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to the State of Israel
* Israelis, citizens or permanent residents of the State of Israel
* Modern Hebrew, a language
* ''Israeli'' (newspaper), published from 2006 to 2008
* Guni Israeli (b ...
.
Overview
Israel Gay Youth (IGY) is a voluntary Israeli NGO for
lesbian
A lesbian is a Homosexuality, homosexual woman.Zimmerman, p. 453. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate n ...
,
gay,
bisexual
Bisexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one gender. It may also be defined to include romantic or sexual attraction to people regardless of their sex or gender identity, whi ...
,
asexual,
pansexual,
queer
''Queer'' is an umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Originally meaning or , ''queer'' came to be used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the late 19th century. Beginning in the lat ...
, and
transgender youth, as well as young people questioning their
sexual orientation and their
gender identity. IGY provides a social framework for youth to meet and advocates for LGBT youth in Israel. The organization operates in 22 cities and towns in Israel for over 1,500 youth annually. Additional programs include a youth club in Tel Aviv, leadership programs, topic groups (such as groups for HIV positive youth) and Nir Program, named after Nir Katz, a victim of the shooting at the Bar Noar LGBT youth club in 2009. The organization is recognized and supported by the local Ministry of Education.
History
Social activities for youth were held by the National Association of GLBT in Israel ("
The Aguda") during the 1990s. In 2001, IGY was established within the Aguda by
Yaniv Waizmann, operating at first mostly in Tel Aviv and nearby cities. The organization became independent in 2004 by
Yaniv Waizmann and
Gal Uchovsky
Gal Uchovsky ( he, גל אוחובסקי; born September 27, 1958) is an Israeli screenwriter, producer, journalist, activist and Israeli TV personality.
Early life
Uchovsky was born in Hadera. His family moved to Vienna where his father studie ...
. In the coming years, IGY increased activity and expanded its geographical range, including to peripheral cities and towns in the south and north of the country. In 2010, the Ministry of Education recognized volunteer work in the organization as part of the mandatory volunteer hours in Israeli high schools.
Today, Waizmann functions as IGY's chairperson. Additional leaders include
Gal Uchovsky
Gal Uchovsky ( he, גל אוחובסקי; born September 27, 1958) is an Israeli screenwriter, producer, journalist, activist and Israeli TV personality.
Early life
Uchovsky was born in Hadera. His family moved to Vienna where his father studie ...
, and
Avner Dafni who serves as executive director. Offices are located in the
Gay Community Center in Tel Aviv. The organization is one of the largest in the local
LGBT community, collaborating extensively with
Tehila, and organization of parents and friends of LGBT, and
Hoshen
The priestly breastplate or breastpiece of judgment ( he, חֹשֶׁן ''ḥōšen'') was a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites, according to the Book of Exodus. In the biblical account, the breastplate is termed the ''br ...
(Israeli
GLSEN), the community's education center.
List of cities and towns
The organization is active in
Kiryat Shmona,
Karmiel
Karmiel ( he, כַּרְמִיאֵל) is a city in northern Israel. Established in 1964 as a development town, Karmiel is located in the Beit HaKerem Valley which divides upper and lower Galilee. The city is located south of the Acre-Safed road, f ...
,
Haifa,
HaKrayot,
Jezreel Valley,
Afula,
Hadera,
Kfar Saba
Kfar Saba ( he, כְּפַר סָבָא), officially Kefar Sava, is a city in the Sharon region, of the Central District of Israel. In 2019 it had a population of 110,456, making it the 16th-largest city in Israel. The population of Kfar Saba i ...
,
Netanya
Netanya (also known as Natanya, he, נְתַנְיָה) is a city in the Northern Central District of Israel, and is the capital of the surrounding Sharon plain. It is north of Tel Aviv, and south of Haifa, between Poleg stream and Wingate I ...
,
Herzliya,
Hod HaSharon,
Petah Tikva
Petah Tikva ( he, פֶּתַח תִּקְוָה, , ), also known as ''Em HaMoshavot'' (), is a city in the Central District (Israel), Central District of Israel, east of Tel Aviv. It was founded in 1878, mainly by Haredi Judaism, Haredi Jews of ...
,
Rosh HaAyin,
Tel Aviv,
Ramat Gan,
Kiryat Ono,
Holon
Holon ( he, חוֹלוֹן ) is a city on the central coastal strip of Israel, south of Tel Aviv. Holon is part of the metropolitan Gush Dan area. In it had a population of . Holon has the second-largest industrial zone in Israel, after Haifa. ...
,
Bat Yam,
Rishon LeZion
Rishon LeZion ( he, רִאשׁוֹן לְצִיּוֹן , ''lit.'' First to Zion, Arabic: راشون لتسيون) is a city in Israel, located along the central Israeli coastal plain south of Tel Aviv. It is part of the Gush Dan metropolitan ar ...
,
Rehovot
Rehovot ( he, רְחוֹבוֹת ''Rəḥōvōt'', ar, رحوڤوت ''Reḥūfūt'') is a city in the Central District of Israel, about south of Tel Aviv. In it had a population of .
Etymology
Israel Belkind, founder of the Bilu movement, ...
,
Ramla-Lod,
Modi'in,
Ashdod
Ashdod ( he, ''ʾašdōḏ''; ar, أسدود or إسدود ''ʾisdūd'' or '' ʾasdūd'' ; Philistine: 𐤀𐤔𐤃𐤃 *''ʾašdūd'') is the sixth-largest city in Israel. Located in the country's Southern District, it lies on the Mediterran ...
,
Ashkelon,
Kiryat Gat,
Be'er Sheva and
Eilat
Eilat ( , ; he, אֵילַת ; ar, إِيلَات, Īlāt) is Israel's southernmost city, with a population of , a busy port and popular resort at the northern tip of the Red Sea, on what is known in Israel as the Gulf of Eilat and in Jordan ...
.
Additional groups include "IGY stars" a drama class (now inactive), Religious groups in collaboration with
Hevruta and
Bat-Kol; "IGY Ambassadors", an educational group in collaboration with
Hoshen
The priestly breastplate or breastpiece of judgment ( he, חֹשֶׁן ''ḥōšen'') was a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites, according to the Book of Exodus. In the biblical account, the breastplate is termed the ''br ...
; HIV-positive group and a youth club which operates in the Israeli Gay Community Center. Additional collaborations include the youth groups of
Jerusalem House for Pride and Tolerance.
See also
*
2009 Tel Aviv gay centre shooting
The Tel Aviv gay centre shooting resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least fifteen others at the Tel Aviv branch of the Israeli LGBT Association, at the "Bar-Noar" ( he, בר נוער, "Youth Bar"), on Nahmani Street, on 1 Aug ...
*
Tehila
References
External links
Israel Gay Youth (IGY) – website
LGBT youth organizations based in Israel
Organizations established in 2002
LGBT organizations in Israel
{{TelAviv-stub