Israel Gay Youth


Israel Gay Youth (IGY) (Hebrew: ארגון נוער גאה, Irgun Noar Ge'eh, lit. "Proud Youth Organization"; Hebrew: איגי, Igy, "IGY") was founded in 2002 in Israel as a non-profit NGO, branching off from the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association.

Israel Gay Youth (IGY NGO)
Founded 2001 (The NGO registered in 2004)
Founder Yaniv Waizmann (Chairman), Gal Uchovsky (President)
Type LGBTQ Organization
Focus LGBTQ Youth
Location
Area served
22 cities all over Israel
Product Social programs for LGBTQ youth
Key people
2000
Volunteers
250
Website http://www.igy.org.il
Formerly called
Israeli Gay Youth ("Kamoni Kamocha" NGO)
CEO Ran Leabel, Mandy Michaeli

Overview

Israel Gay Youth (IGY) is a voluntary Israeli NGO for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and questioning youth. IGY provides a social framework for youth to meet and advocates for LGBT youth in Israel. The organization operates in 22 cities and towns in Israel for over 1,500 youth annually. Additional programs include a youth club in Tel Aviv, leadership programs, topic groups (such as groups for HIV positive youth) and Nir Program, named after Nir Katz, victim of the shooting at the Bar Noar LGBT youth club in 2009. The organization is recognized and supported by the local Ministry of Education.

History

Social activities for youth were held by the National Association of GLBT in Israel ("The Aguda") during the nineties. In 2001, IGY was established within the Aguda by Yaniv Waizmann, operating at first mostly in Tel Aviv and nearby cities. The organization became independent in 2004 by Yaniv Waizmann and Gal Uchovsky. In the coming years IGY increased activity and expanded its geographical range, including to peripheral cities and towns in the south and north of the country. In 2010, the Ministry of Education recognized volunteer work in the organization as part of the mandatory volunteer hours in Israeli high-schools.

Today, Waizmann functions as IGY's chairperson. Additional leaders include Gal Uchovsky, journalist and prominent leader of the LGBT community, and Avner Dafni who serves as executive director. Offices are located in the Gay Community Center in Tel Aviv. The organization is one of the largest in the local LGBT community, collaborating extensively with Tehila, and organization of parents and friends of LGBT, and Hoshen (Israeli GLSEN), the community's education center.

List of cities and towns

The organization is active in the following towns:

Kiryat Shmona, Karmiel

Haifa, HaKrayot, Jezreel Valley, Afula

Hadera, Kfar Saba, Netanya

Herzliya, Hod HaSharon, Petah Tikva, Rosh HaAyin

Tel Aviv in the Gay Center

Ramat Gan, Kiryat Ono, Holon, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion, Rehovot

Ramla-Lod, Modi'in

Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat

Be'er Sheva

Eilat

Additional groups include: "IGY stars" (inactive), a drama class;

Religious groups in collaboration with Hevruta and Bat-Kol;

IGY Ambassadors, an educational group in collaboration with Hoshen;

an HIV-positive group and a youth club which operates in the Gay Community Center.

Additional collaborations include the youth groups of Jerusalem House for Pride and Tolerance.

See also

References

    External links


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