Anyone Know Anything About The Climate For Transgender/transsexual Individuals In Israel?

[Guest Jsybird2532]

Hi, first off I'd just like to say that I'd prefer for this topic here not to become a spam-fest about the Israeli-Arab conflict disconcerning its relevance to transgender/transsexual/intersex issues, as discussions on such topics can usually get very ugly very quickly.

Anyway, as I was born Jewish and have clear and authoritative proof for it I was personally considering making Aliyah (Immigrating) to Israel once I finish college and obviously as a transwoman I was wondering about the climate over there for transgender people--I've heard the climate in general is actually REALLY GOOD (Possibly so good that Israel might as well be an LGBT Mecca) here's what I know on the basis of what I've read and heard.

• I believe I heard that there is non-discrimination legislation in hiring and in public treatment for LGBT people specifically concerning "sexual orientation" but this is applied to transgender/transsexual/intersex people in practice as well.
  
• The government pays for Transsexual related medical care, and even pays somewhat for SRS after a successful review by some sort of board of medical professionals.
  
• Gays and Lesbians are not just allowed to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, they're obliged and get special accomadations in the military for their LGB status. I'm also 100% sure FTMs can even serve as MEN as well and that they also get special accomadations, but I don't know if their obliged, and I don't know anything concerning military service for MTFs. Also, any sort of discrimination in the military pertaining to LGBT status will result in the discriminator getting court martialed.
  
• LGBT people in the intelligence community cannot get a security clearance if they don't come out and there is clear evidence that they are LGBT as this is considered a security threat in the intelligence community in Israel.
  
• Same-sex marriage (As it is relevant to transgender individuals) is legal in a civil sense for taxes and common law purposes but not under religious authority. To get a same sex marriage, also, the couple must marry overseas as ALL marriages performed in Israel are religious in nature by law.
  
• Dana International, that famous transsexual singer, is from there...
  
• The typical deragatory term that Israelis use to refer to transsexual people is קוקסינל (Koksinel), which refers to Cocinelle, the transsexual actress.
  
• There is widespread LGBT media in Israel.
  
• The Haredi/Religious Jews in the country tend to be the main opposition towards civil rights for LGBT people.
  

Does anyone else know anything about the conditions there/able to fill in the blanks? Any stories? Also, does anyone have the URLs for any Israeli TG/TS/Intersex sites where I could ask questions (I speak enough Hebrew, the language barrier is no obstacle).

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hi, first off I'd just like to say that I'd prefer for this topic here not to become a spam-fest about the Israeli-Arab conflict disconcerning its relevance to transgender/transsexual/intersex issues, as discussions on such topics can usually get very ugly very quickly.

Well, Hon......I just don't see that happening here....

Now, I have nothing to tell you about your subject other than to wish you luck if that is what you decide to do....

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest]

Hello!

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question directly. But, I do remember that there was a transwoman from Israel here on the board a while back. Unfortunately, I can't remember her name. Perhaps someone else can. As I recall, she had nothing negative to say about it.

Not much help - sorry!

Love, Kat

[Carolyn Marie]

Hon, I am woefully uninformed about this subject, and can't say whether your information is correct or not. It certainly sounds encouraging.

The caveat I have is this: Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, as far as I have heard, is not in the least tolerant of transgender rights, and may not even allow transgender persons to worship in the synagogue. Reform synagogues, on the other hand, are very welcoming to gays, lesbians and transfolk, at least here in the U.S. The problem is, the Reform movement is not as prominent in Israel as it is here. There is also a large segment of the Jewish population there that is very non-secular in their outlook and behavior.

Have I thoroughly confused you yet? Yes? Good! My job is done.

Seriously, I suggest you contact the Israeli embassy or consulate nearest you, the U.S. Rabbinical Council, or the Jewish Federation Council http://www.jewishla.org/ and inquire. Those are your best bets for accurate information. Much better source than old non-practicing Jews like me.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Jsybird2532]

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question directly. But, I do remember that there was a transwoman from Israel here on the board a while back. Unfortunately, I can't remember her name. Perhaps someone else can. As I recall, she had nothing negative to say about it.

Mhmm maybe she'll show her face, I'd love to talk to her.

The caveat I have is this: Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, as far as I have heard, is not in the least tolerant of transgender rights, and may not even allow transgender persons to worship in the synagogue. Reform synagogues, on the other hand, are very welcoming to gays, lesbians and transfolk, at least here in the U.S. The problem is, the Reform movement is not as prominent in Israel as it is here. There is also a large segment of the Jewish population there that is very non-secular in their outlook and behavior.

I'm totally unconcerned about the views of the Masorti (Conservative) and Orthodox Movement--these divisions barely exist in Israel, there you're either secular or religious according to the Israelis I've talked to. Obviously I'd be secular, and I'm honestly really secular here anyway (I wouldn't be going to become a super jew, I just kinda feel a connection to the Jewish community and culture as a whole, secular and not and I want to express it by moving there and living as an Israeli). Besides, we have those people here too, and we also have Christian versions of those people as well.

Seriously, I suggest you contact the Israeli embassy or consulate nearest you, the U.S. Rabbinical Council, or the Jewish Federation Council http://www.jewishla.org/ and inquire. Those are your best bets for accurate information. Much better source than old non-practicing Jews like me.

Good idea, I'll do that sometime .

[Guest Risu]

It is my understanding that Israel is a very "Happening place" (as a friend put it) and an open minded place regarding Transsexuals and the rest of the LGB community. They are also very advanced in their medical technology. If it were not for all of the conflict happening on Israel's borders I would seriously consider moving there.

There are many Transsexual singers/performers in and from Israel, Dana International as you mentioned (I really love her lol), Jouel, Aderet, and one other whose name I can't recall. Dana is the most famous of course but it's encouraging to see so many in such a small country.

Unfortunately I know little about what things are actually like there, but I even have clients who come into my work who have visited there and absolutely love the country and they're not part of the LGBT community. All-in-all my impression from what I've seen and heard is that, like you said, it is a Mecca for the LGBT community and honestly... I'm considering moving there anyway. I'd fight to protect the holy land, not just for God and it's people, but because it seems to be an oasis... a paradise for our community and with how rare those are I'd fight tooth and nail to keep it safe. I just have to learn Hebrew Which I am planning on doing anyway!

Wonderful thread, I hope someone who can more adequately reply and better educate us on this will reply soon!