Country Overview
Israel
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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In Israel, there are some legal protections for LGBTIQ people. Same-sex sexual activity is legal, and transgender people can change their legal gender markers. Same-sex couples cannot marry, but Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad. There are certain anti-discrimination legal protections for LGBTIQ people, and the city of Tel Aviv hosts a large Pride parade annually. However, social stigma against LGBTIQ people remains, and LGBTIQ people still face family rejection, violence, and discrimination. For example, there have been reports of transgender people facing discrimination in healthcare settings. One report suggests that 40% of transgender people in Israel have attempted suicide. Conversion practices are also a major issue. Right-wing politicians and religious officials have used anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric, and statements against LGBTIQ people in public discourse are thought to be rising. According to a report by The Aguda, or The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel, there were a record 3,309 reports of anti-LGBTIQ violence and hate speech in Israel in 2022.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
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Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
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Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
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Human Rights Research
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