Playtika, a leading mobile games and interactive entertainment company, has partnered with IGY, Israel's LGBTQ+ youth organization, to bolster support for the LGBTQ+ community. This collaboration was celebrated at the end of Pride Month with an event attended by IGY supporters, donors, and partners.
Held at “The George” in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, the event featured a candid discussion with students and graduates from the "Marsha" vocational college for LGBTQ+ youth. Dorin Attias led the conversation on the challenges faced by at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, including discrimination and difficulties experienced by Arab, ultra-Orthodox, and transgender youth. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the "Proud to Be" photo project featuring members of Playtika’s LGBTQ+ group, LGBTika. This project expresses participants' pride in their various identities—LGBTQ+, parental, familial, and more.
The collaboration, led by LGBTika, strengthens ties with IGY and includes support for the Jane Addams Center, currently being established by IGY. The center aims to develop resilience and provide professional emotional therapy for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. Created by IGY, the center will offer comprehensive psychosocial treatment, training, and research, including subsidized clinical treatments, emergency mental health support, rights advocacy, parental guidance, and training for welfare and education staff nationwide. Additionally, IGY's substantial support includes Marsha College, the world's first LGBTQ+ college, which helps reduce inequality and integrate at-risk youth into the workforce.
As part of the partnership, LGBTika members can volunteer in various IGY activities, from group leadership to participating in Marsha College’s mentoring program. Playtika will also host IGY training sessions at its offices and explore further collaboration opportunities to support IGY’s critical work for the LGBTQ+ community.
Chen Arieli, IGY Chairperson, remarked, “The past year has been especially challenging for all youth in Israel, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, who faced increased LGBTQ+phobia, concealment, and lack of acceptance alongside the conflict. IGY's mental and social support services are lifesaving, and we are particularly excited about this collaboration with Playtika, which will enable us to continue creating safe spaces for thousands of youth nationwide.”
Dekel Ovadia, Director at Playtika and leader of LGBTika alongside Dor Cohen Maizels and Adi Davidy, added, “Playtika’s DNA aims to allow everyone to present their authentic selves to their environment exactly as they are. Our message has always been simple—be true to your personality, and we will ensure that your environment supports and encourages that. Playtika, and LGBTika in particular, are committed to leading the agenda of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Israeli high-tech and society at large. The partnership with IGY is a natural step for us and part of a broader network of activities we conduct throughout the year. In a year where Israel saw the highest number of homophobia and violence cases against the community, it is crucial for us to stand by the community and support their fundamental right to equality, allocating tools and resources to assist LGBTQ+ members during this challenging year.”
Alongside its collaboration with IGY, Playtika has harnessed the art of photography to illustrate the values and identity challenges experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. The "Proud to Be" photo project was born from this initiative, featuring members of Playtika’s LGBTika. Each participant was asked to present an appearance that reflects their identity and what they are proud of. The resulting collection of photos showcases individuals' places in society, both within Playtika and the broader Israeli community, highlighting their pride in being Israelis, partners, parents, tech professionals, reserve soldiers, etc.
Photographer Meir Cohen was attuned to the emotions and needs of the subjects, capturing authentic and impressive expressions and feelings. The collection unveiled at the event will be displayed throughout the year at IGY’s youth center, Playtika’s offices, and across the social media channels of both the organization and the company.