Yael Lavie - Not Going Back

Supporting Local Pride – Building Community Everywhere!As Israel faces the most difficult war in its history, our collective attention has been drawn to security concerns and the fate of the hostages. Yet, those seeking to harm the LGBTQ+ community have not paused. They have escalated incitement, spread disinformation, called for violence against us, and pushed for the defunding of the most vulnerable groups within our community. They are waging a relentless campaign to erase the hard-won rights we have fought for as a united community. They haven’t stopped, but neither have we. We are in the midst of difficult years, where incitement, violence, and organized hatred are on the rise. Our community faces unprecedented threats to the achievements and rights we have fought for over the past 50 years. At the same time, under the guise of war, the government has attempted to cruelly cut LGBTQ+ budgets, diverting other funding sources to military efforts. As resources shrink, our needs only continue to grow. Israel is in a prolonged state of emergency. While, as a nation, we fight for our survival and security, our struggle for equality and safety is far from over. For 50 years, The Aguda – Israel's LGBTQ+ Task Force has been the community’s shield. Founded by courageous individuals who fought for freedom, equality, security, and human dignity, the Aguda has been at the forefront of change. In times of darkness, they chose to light the way, leaving shame and secrecy behind to stand for their rights with pride. Building Local LGBTQ+ CommunitiesThe Local Pride Department at the Aguda strengthens LGBTQ+ communities across Israel and advances policy change on the municipal level. We are here to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person feels safe and has a place to belong—no matter where they live. We connect local authorities, elected officials, grassroots activists, and LGBTQ+ organizations because we recognize that municipalities hold immense power in shaping the rights and daily lives of LGBTQ+ residents. Our Work Includes:🌈 Training and supporting municipal council members to promote LGBTQ+ rights in their communities. 🌈 A national leadership program for local LGBTQ+ community leaders. 🌈 The LGBTQ+ Municipal Equality Index – a tool to improve policies and strengthen municipalities' commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. 🌈 Bridging LGBTQ+ organizations with local authorities to expand support and services. 🌈 A community grants program for holiday meals, events, and local LGBTQ+ initiatives. But none of this can happen without you! We are entering a challenging time where forces seek to drag us backward and erase our progress. But what our enemies fear most is our unity, the love we represent, and the light we bring into the world. Now is the time to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as a community and declare: we will not move backward. We will keep fighting together. Your donation ensures that we can continue to fight for equality and safety across Israel. Join us. This is more than a donation—it’s a commitment to a future where there is space for everyone. Donate now. Together, we will face the challenges ahead and build a society where we are proud to belong—everywhere in Israel.