Interviews with Olim

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

A. I was born in Ottawa, Canada, left when I was 3 years old and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. 

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

A. I was 26 when I came out as non-binary/genderqueer to my family. Before that, we used to get into fights about the existence of genderqueer people, only when I came out did they back down. Now it’s just not something that’s discussed and my mom still refers to me as a man, not out of malice, but rather lack of understanding. 

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

A. No, I hadn’t fully understood my identity until after I moved here. 

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

A. Through LGBT olim mostly, but also some queer WhatsApp groups.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah? 

A. It will be 12 years next May.

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

A. With my family 

Q. Why did you make Aliyah? 

A. Both my older sisters had already established their lives here and my family wanted to join them. I also wanted to serve in the IDF. 

Q. How is it going so far? 

A. I’m here 12 years so… it’s just my life. 

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I research floral scent genetics at a Hebrew University lab. 

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. I did my entire army service and both degrees in it, so fairly good at this point. 

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

A. The IDF really kicked my ass. 

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community? 

A. Mainly cis gay male dominated. I try to seek out more diverse queer spaces, but they’re hard to find. 

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

A. Growing up, gay was used as an insult very regularly. Here, I’ve also experienced plenty of homophobia. I’m not sure how things are now in Phoenix, but homophobia here is still very much ingrained in society. 

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

A. I wouldn’t join the army.