Advancing Inclusion in LGBTQ+ Community Research in Southern Israel

In 2026, the PKI LGBTQ+ community of Be’er Sheva and the Southern District will be, for the first time, fully and equally included in a district-wide LGBTQ+ needs assessment. The initiative will be carried out in partnership with the Israeli Institute for LGBTQ and Gender Research, The Proud House of Be’er Sheva and the South, and PKI.

For years, Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking LGBTQ+ immigrants were largely absent from such assessments due to language barriers, limited outreach, and low institutional trust. PKI addressed these gaps by adapting the survey into Russian, mobilizing the local community through its Be’er Sheva group, and ensuring representative participation.

As a result, policymakers and service providers will now have data that reflects the specific needs of Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ immigrants, trust between the community and institutions will be strengthened, and a replicable model for inclusive research has been established.