Category Archive » Rights
Israel’s IDAHO initiative HAVANA announces series of events + “I’m Also Gay Friendly” video
HAVANA is the name IDAHO takes in Israel. Each year, groups of activists around the country mark the day in various ways, under the impulse of a dedicated team of core IDAHO activists who run the national anti-homophobia HAVANA.org.il website.
The main event will take place at the Tel Aviv Gay Center. An inter organizational committee prepares the evening’s program.
An academic paper contest will take place for the second year running. The minister of education might be present at the awards ceremony.
An academic conference on the subject of transphobia will be held at Tel Aviv-Jaffa College.
“I’m also Gay Friendly”
Mostly in Hebrew… Promo for HAVANA (AKA IDAHO)
Jerusalem demonstrators: ‘We’re proud sluts’
70 activists – mainly women – let it all hang out during the Jerusalem SlutWalk, part of an international movement to counter claim that provocative dress leads to sexual harassment, assaults
SlutWalk – the “modest” version: Some 70 activists, mostly women, took part Friday in a protest march that started from Jerusalem’s Paris Square and ended at Horse Park in the city center. Some of the demonstrators wore risqué outfits and carried signs reading “No more harassment,” “Enough – blame the rapist,” and “I’m a proud slut.”
A police escort secured the protesters, who shouted “We’re not weak!” and “We won’t be exploited!”
Despite the opposition of the city’s Ultra-Orthodox population to the march, the demonstration concluded without event, although far from unnoticed. David Davidov, an observant resident, called the SlutWalk “a provocation. The provocative clothes of the marchers – and women in general – prompts men to attack them.”
The SlutWalk movement grew out of an incident that occurred in Canada in 2011 in which a police office said that women should keep themselves safe by “not dressing like sluts.” The first SlutWalk was held in Canada, and the idea took off around the world. The Jerusalem version – organized by Or Levy, 22 – comes on the heels of two marches already held in Israel, in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
“The women here all have a common goal. We are against harassment and want to feel safe walking in the street, no matter what we’re wearing. It’s every woman’s right to feel safe, just like men feel secure,” Levy said.
“This is not meant as a provocation against the haredim,” Levy explained. “We live in this city, so this is where we’re demonstrating. We understand the sensitivity of the haredim, and the protest isn’t against them – it’s against the men who harass us daily.”
Lily, a 28-year-old Jerusalem resident who also took part in the SlutWalk, said that “too often, we hear the victim being blamed by questions like ‘what was she wearing? Why did you drink? Why did you leave the house alone so late? The society that supposedly lets you do what you want is quick to judge.”
Passers by watched the march with interest. Lital Levy agreed that the marchers were “right,” but said that she “wouldn’t join a protest like this in Jerusalem. There are people here who are really sensitive to this kind of dress, and it offends them.”
Source: <a href=”http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4224724,00.html”>Ynetnews.com
First Israel philanthropy academy set to open
Opening of first Israel Academy of Philanthropy designed to train new generation of resource development professionals in Israel – with countrywide teaching centers
The global economic crisis and Israel’s summer of social protests led Natan Golan and Jeff Kaye who both have years of experience in the field of Jewish philanthropy to search for a response to an increasing number of Israeli nonprofits competing for scarce funding opportunities both at home and abroad.
They quickly realized how critical it is for Israeli fundraisers to equip themselves with the proper education, tools and resources, in order to participate in this incredibly competitive market. Unlike most other professions there was no local address for them to systematically learn the skills of their profession.
These two veterans with decades of working experience in the arena of Israel and Global Philanthropy, decided to create the Israel Academy of Philanthropy – an institution dedicated to advancing the professionalism and practice of resource development.
This progressive initiative aims to dramatically raise the quality of resource development in Israel and, for the first time, to provide professional accreditation in this field.
The Academy will serve as a unique venue, inviting participation of select individuals and groups from Israeli nonprofit organizations and local municipalities.
At the same time, it will reach out to a new cadre of Israeli professionals from hi-tech and IDF veterans, social and community workers, those with backgrounds in marketing – all wishing to retrain as resource development professionals.
Academy students will master the world of philanthropy through a range of recognized academic courses, while acquiring the knowledge and skills required in the discipline.
The Israel Academy of Philanthropy is the first comprehensive professional teaching initiative of its kind in Israel. Graduates of the approved courses who have attained the required standards will receive credit towards the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential diploma for initial certification or recertification.
Source: Ynetnews.com
PICTURES: Israelis demonstrate against homophobic legislation in Russia
Background: On 12 March 2012, the governor of St Petersburg Mr Georgiy Poltavchenko signed a law banning the so-called ‘propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and paedophilia to minors’.
Statement by St. Petersburg LGBT organization Coming Out
Today it became known that the governor of St. Petersburg Georgiy Poltavchenko signed the homophobic law, imposing administrative fines on the so-called “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism” and paedophilia to minors.
Authors of the law maintain that it is designed to “protect children from information that can harm their physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual development”. The term “propaganda” is defined as any uncontrolled and targeted distribution of information through any accessible means to minors that can […] form an incorrect perception of social equivalence between traditional and non-traditional conjugal relations”. Authorities project “traditional values” and clerical rhetoric onto politics, and prioritize “interests of majority” over the value of human individuality. We realize that today, fascist-like rhetoric in Russia is becoming basis for legislative activity.
In fact, this law has little to do with protecting minors. Today, neither homosexual people, nor human rights defenders, nor lawyers can answer the question of how this law is going to be applied in practice, due to its vague nature and non-legal terminology. To talk about existence of homosexuality, to publicly denounce homophobic violence, to develop sense of self-awareness and dignity in homosexual people, to promote tolerance – all of these acts can fall under the “propaganda” law. This law will serve directly to further isolate and marginalize the gay community and encourage hate towards a social group.
60 years ago philosopher and founder of totalitarianism theory, Hannah Arendt, said that in a totalitarian state, citizens are “either victims or executioners and the movement by its ideology seeks to prepare them to fill either role.” Handing out of roles has begun: Russian authorities legalized discrimination of homosexuals. What will come next?
We are convinced that no authority can deprive people of their right to dignity, to respect of private and family life, to freedom of expression and to protection from discrimination and violence. We are offended and outraged by this act by city authorities and will continue fighting for the rights of LGBT citizens until the barbaric law is repealed.
You can find additional information on the situation for human rights Defenders in Russia.HERE
Source: Front Line Defenders
Hundreds take part in Tel Aviv SlutWalk
Israeli women march in protest of those who claim that dressing, acting in certain way makes women responsible for rapes, sexual harassment
On Thursday evening some 200 protestors gathered at Tel Aviv’s Gan Meir where the SlutWalk protest march was set to begin. The name may be provocative but it hides a very serious agenda.
The protestors claim that the purpose of the demonstration is to act as a response to allegations that women who dress in a very revealing manner, choose to drink alcohol or act in a certain way are the ones responsible for their rapes and sexual harassment.
The women have chosen to protest against such statements and claim that it is that kind of attitude which turns women into the guilty party; that women have a basic right to wear whatever they want; and that the attitude makes it seem like men have no awareness or self control.
“Come in revealing clothes or not, come as you like. No one will judge you,” the march’s Facebook page, which has hundreds of members, stated. The demonstrators are shouting “enough, blame the rapist,” “no we aren’t transparent, we kick out at sexism.”
Neta Friedman, 19, one of the SlutWalk’s organizers said: “You can’t walk down the street these days without being sexually harassed on a regular basis. Usually when someone gets raped there is a natural tendency to say ‘wait she drank’ or ‘she used to sleep around a lot.’
“You’re inclined to blame her and not the attacker. We are here to give the word ‘slut’ a new meaning, to give it a positive instead of negative connotation, as was done in the past with the words ‘homosexual’ and ‘lesbian.’”
Halel Hakim who took part in the walk wearing a T-Shirt that read: “not a potential rapist – just a man,” said “I’m here to offer my support and give legitimization to dress however you like without stigmas… I hope this will change something in the old fashioned concept.
The catalyst for the SlutWalk protest marches was an incident that occurred in 2011 in Toronto Canada Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that to remain safe, “women should avoid dressing like sluts.” In response, SlutWalks began across the globe.
Source: Ynetnews.com
Female firefighters make history
Dina Jones, Dana Bokobza are first Israeli women to be accepted to Fire Services’ commanders’ course
History in the making – Dina Jones and Dana Bokobza are the first female firefighters to be accepted into a commander course in Israel’s Fire Services.
Both women already have practical experience, courageously running into treacherous fires numerous times to save lives. During the commander course, which is two months long, Dina and Dana will train to become team commanders and be the first to be called to the scene of a fire.
Jones, from Ma’ale Adumim, has been working as a firefighter at the Judea and Samaria fire station for the past seven years. Asked whether she is honored to be the first woman to make it to the commanders’ course, Jones replied: “I am no different than any of my colleagues.”
Chairman of the Israeli Professional Firefighters’ Organization Yoav Gadasi lauded Jones’ accomplishment, saying: “Dina is an amazing firefighter, with a lot of courage and ability to act under pressure. There aren’t many like her, even among her male colleagues. She will be a successful commander at the end of the course.”
Bokobza, from Ashkelon, is a mother of three and has served in the city’s fire station for eight years. Bokobza already made history when she and her friend were the first women in Israel to be recruited as firefighters.
“I’m already used to people looking at me in astonishment. But I’m the proof that everything’s possible. I love my job, and for me to break through the flames is an instinct. I don’t even think about the dangers involved.”
Bokobza had all three of her children during her eight years of service: “I never asked for any benefits or special treatment. The job requires me to make many concessions at home. But thanks to my supportive husband and family, we manage to work it out,” she said.
Source: Ynetnews.com