Robin

“My generation has a lot of guts, and we’re not afraid. We caused a stir, and that’s why we have rights.”

“I am 69 years old, living in Jerusalem. I am a social worker and currently a social activist in the LGBTQ+ senior community, primarily at the Jerusalem branch of ‘The Open House.’ I am a lesbian, currently not in a relationship.

I made Aliyah to Israel for good at the age of 40, which is considered a late age for immigration. I found my alternative family here; they helped me, and I have a daughter. I feel a sense of belonging thanks to the feminist movement and community work. Activism fills the role of an extended family for me.

When I arrived in Israel from the United States, I struggled with the language, and people here didn’t understand me. It was also a cultural gap. I felt like a foreigner, an outsider. But that didn’t stop me, and I made it. I started working in welfare in Jerusalem, focusing on addiction and prisoners. Years passed, and just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I met my partner, retired, and then the pandemic hit, which brought changes to many groups. After the pandemic, I traveled to the United States to learn about day centers and sheltered housing for the senior LGBTQ+ community.”

“At the Open House in Jerusalem, we demand a budget for taxis for women who have difficulty getting to LGBTQ+ senior events. The taxi can sometimes make the difference in deciding whether to attend or not. It’s important, it’s a matter of respect for the founding generation. I see a lot of ageism [in the community], but I ask myself where does it come from? People are afraid of death, and that’s the most serious taboo. But I think young people should learn from us and understand the LGBTQ+ history. My generation has a lot of guts, and we’re not afraid. We caused a stir, and that’s why we have queer rights and women’s equality rights.”

“What is very difficult about aging is that many women choose a form of victimhood… I’m not saying everything is for the best; I’m saying that you choose to turn what happened into something positive.”