On International Day against Homophobia, govt allocates funds to help LGBT community
As part of its efforts to assist the LGBT community's needs, the ministry stated that it would focus its efforts on assisting the transgender community in particular.
By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZIUpdated: MAY 16, 2016 21:05Tel Aviv Municpality building lit up in rainbow colors symbolizing LGBT pride(photo credit: NIV ELIS)
The Welfare and Social Services Ministry announced on Monday the allocation of an additional NIS 3 million toward initiatives for the LGBT community.It made the announcement ahead of International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which is observed annually on May 17.In addition, the ministry announced the launch of an emergency shelter for LGBT youth at the cost of NIS 1 million annually. This, in addition to the existing Beit Dror shelter in Tel Aviv, to which NIS 2 million is allocated annually in collaboration with the non-profit Otot and the Tel Aviv municipality.As part of its efforts to assist the LGBT community’s needs, the ministry stated that it would focus its efforts on assisting the transgender community in particular. The ministry is set to open a hostel already in 2016 for men and women who have recently undergone sex change surgery, which will provide intensive therapies as well as help the transgender population group gain empowerment and advancement towards an independent life at a cost of NIS 1 million annually.The ministry has been operating temporary housing for transgender youth for the past year in collaboration with Otot, the Tel Aviv municipality and the National Insurance Institute.“The Welfare Ministry has engraved on its flag the promise to provide assistance for the girls and boys of the LGBT community who are at risk and in distress, and for the International Day against Homophobia it sends a message to the Israeli public of tolerance and acceptance,” the ministry said in a statement.