This academic article from the Yale Review of International Studies examines advancements in Israeli law, society and culture to gauge whether Israel’s perceived progressive attitude toward the LGBT community is a genuine expression of the country’s values and the reality on the ground or a “pinkwashing” tactic used to portray Israel in a particular light to the global community. The article provides a historical overview of the status of the LGBT community, revealing a general shift from a silencing of the gay identity to communal organisation, legal progress, and increased cultural representation and societal acceptance. It provides statistics and trends comparing attitudes toward homosexuality and traditional family life in Israel and other countries, noting the particular struggles of the transgender community and the rejection of the LGBT community by Israel’s Haredi community.
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