Banners with pro-LGBTQ+ messaging were hung in dozens of Arab communities across Israel on Sunday in the first-ever Arabic-language campaign targeting the highly conservative sector.
The signage, reading "we have a home for all sexualities and gender identities in the Arab sector", was hung by Beit el-Meem, a group seeking to advance acceptance and of LGBTQ+ people in the sector and aid members of the Arab proud community.
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Banners with pro-LGBTQ+ messages were hung in dozens of Arab communities throughout Israel
(Photo: Beit el-Meem)
"The Arab proud community used to live in hiding, but today our community is starting to get organized, as it deserves," said Beit el-Meem director Arwa Adam, adding it was time to "break the closet" in the Arab sector
Adam says the campaign is part of a series of moves to build institutions, solutions and infrastructure for the community "to promote the rights of all of us to equality and security."
The organization also operates a helpline that provides free of charge emotional support to LGBTQ+ people from the Arab sector and legal assistance for cases of violence and discrimination. The service is available Sunday through Thursday.
According to Adam, there has been a gradual shift in the discourse around the LGBTQ+ community in the Arab sector over the past two years and more and more people were reaching out to them through their helpline.
Israel's Association for LGBTQ+ rights in Israel — widely known as The Agudah — welcomed the initiative.
"We are proud of the activists who are making their voices heard and leading a change for a safe space for the Arab LGBTQ+ community," the group said. "We all deserve the right to be who we are, wherever we are, in every city, village and locality."