Interviews with Olim

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

A. Brooklyn born and raised.

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

A. I tried to come out (bi) when I was in my late twenties, but I didn’t have the support of my family, was basically alone in Israel, and was dealing with issues with joint custody I’m not going to go into, but it necessitated a need to go back into the closet.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community back home?

A. No. I married pretty young, before I could figure out who I was, moved to Israel, divorced the husband, and became involved with the OrthoDykes a million years ago. 

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

A. OrthoDykes held meetings once a month in Jerusalem between 1999 and 2003 or so, and I was an active member. I’ve participated in the Tel Aviv pride parade a few times, marched in the first two Jerusalem parades, been to and/or participated in every Beer Sheva Pride parade (they began in 2017, and other than 2021, they’ve had one every year), and since 2019, I’ve been the Free Mom Hugs person at the Beer Sheva parade.

And now, I’m a participant in the gaymes nights at the Pride House in Beer Sheva, and hope to help increase local attendance to Pride House events for English-speakers.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A. Just over 25 years ago.

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

A. I moved here with a husband and 2 young kids.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A. I didn’t move for ideology, that came later. My decision to move to Israel was financial.

Q. How is it going so far?

A. It has its moments.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I am a content editor and English editor for a company that creates E-learning courses.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. ככה ככה (okay, maybe a bit better than so-so)

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A. The language, the culture, and being so far from family.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A. I’m not familiar enough with the community to be able to give an informed answer.

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to back home?

A. I don’t think it’s very different – especially now.

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

A. No, I don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently.