On video: Chairman of the Noam faction: "I did not demand in the coalition agreements to cancel the pride parades" (Knesset Channel)
The transfer of some of the Ministry of Education's powers to the chairman of the Noam Avi Maoz party causes concern among youth from the LGBT community, and at the same time causes the authorities to turn against moves that Maoz may make within the framework of his position.
So far, Tel Aviv, Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Ramat Hasharon, Hod Hasharon and Herzliya have announced that they will budget for content that will be removed at the request of the chairman of the Noam party.
The youth from the gay community have also expressed concern, in view of Maoz's many statements against the community, including his statement that will act to cancel the pride parade in Jerusalem. Many of the school students, members of the gay community, express their fear of the change, which may harm them personally, and talk about the importance of imparting content on gender to children and youth in schools.
Ryan Gordon, a 16-year-old 11th grade student from Ashkelon, defines himself as a bisexual transgender, and explains that not only should we not stop imparting knowledge about LGBT people in the curriculum, but they should be expanded.
"We need to expand the programs further, especially here in the periphery. We need to talk more about the LGBT issue, gender identity and sexual orientation, which are not a well-known issue among teenagers outside of places like Tel Aviv," he explained.
"Gender identity is not something that most children in my area know what he is," he continued. "I had to explain about it over and over again.
Entering such content into the education system helps expand the horizons of teenagers and understand their identity.
" "Passing the responsibility to such a person causes a feeling of fear," he said. "The situation can deteriorate.
It's scary that a human being has an objection to my very existence and that of other people I know.
An effort should be made so that there is no damage to the plans, this is our place as LGBT people to stand up and protest.
"It's scary that a human being has an objection to my very existence."
Ryan Gordon (photo: courtesy of those photographed)
Bar Zohar, 17 years old from Be'er Sheva, a transgender, also expressed his fear of Chairman Noam's expected entry into his new position. "Unfortunately, I know Avi Maoz.
I would drive a lot on Route 6 for inspections and we would see the signs of the Noam party on the road, and I would be shocked.
What the party symbolizes is that there is no place for the gay community in Israel.
This is an unrealistic idea in 2022.
"When I saw that Mouz would be responsible for content in the Ministry of Education, I was shocked. How is it possible after everything he said to give him this? A school is supposed to be the children's second home, and if he is responsible for content that goes through it, it will harm us. The gay community is much more exposed to violence Also, the name and contents of the LGBT topic are critical to prevent this."
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"If Maoz is responsible for the content that passes, it will hurt us."
Bar Zohar (photo: courtesy of those photographed)
"This story is very scary. Even so, these programs are extra and it is very difficult to pass them through parents' committees and other bodies. Now it will only be more difficult," observes Nir Kenri, 17 years old from Kibbutz Gevat, a bisexual transgender.
"In handling these plans, they appointed someone who actively opposes them," he said.
"A generation of people who are unaware of the issue of gender identity will grow up."
Nir Kenari (Photo: Courtesy of those photographed)
"It is possible that these programs, which will contribute a lot to the students, will be stopped, and the confidence of the students will be damaged," warns Nir.
"Youth who are a little less aware of what is happening are only exposed to these things through the educational frameworks. A generation of people will grow up who are much less aware of safe sex, consent, and content on gender identity. Meeting people from the community without receiving an educational explanation can cause a harsh reaction, of surprise or unpleasant questions, Even an unfair treatment. Not on purpose, simply from a lack of understanding."
Ofek Aharon (photo: courtesy of those photographed)
"I didn't feel comfortable with my body and I had difficult thoughts before I found out about the non-binary community," Ofek Aharon, non-binary and bisexual, 16 years old from Kfar Vardim, shared his experiences.
"If they don't tell about the gay community in schools, students can feel less comfortable, and the percentage of bullying and offensive comments will increase. There are kids in my class who threw offensive comments, and after last year there was a meeting with someone from the gay community, the number of comments decreased. Meeting with outsiders who explain about such issues Children are made to understand the place of other people in society."
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