Interviews with Olim

Q. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A. I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina.

Q. At what age did you come out? And how did it go? 

A. I came out at 27.  It was well received by friends, but not well by family. My dad did come around and has met my fiance. My mom never knew.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community in your previous country? 

A. No, I was deep in the closet until 26 years of age.

Q. What is your involvement (if any) in the LGBT community in Israel? 

A. I am moderately active in the LGBT community here.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah? 

A. I made aliya 18 years ago.

Q. Did you move here on your own or with family/friends/significant other? 

A. I moved here alone, straight out of high school.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah? 

A. I made aliya to serve in the IDF. It was a childhood dream.

Q. How is it going so far? 

A. Overall i am happy here. Like every country, there are ups and downs, but I think Israel has a lot to offer its citizens.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I currently work as a landscaper.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. My Hebrew is fluent.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

A. The biggest challenge for me is the culture differences.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community? 

A. The Israeli LGBT community is quite united on all fronts. It has a very “homey” feel where everyone is welcome.

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to your where you lived previously?

A. Growing up in the southeast United States, it wasn’t accepted or tolerated. I feel a lot more freedom here.

Q. If you were making aliyah now, would you do anything differently?

A. Yes,  I would have used more of my aliyah benefits.