Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the LGBTQ+ community has fought for equal rights and recognition, yet much of the historical material documenting this struggle has remained scattered in private homes and without organised preservation. Now, for the first time, the Israeli Pride Archive is being launched – a comprehensive and accessible digital repository operated within Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with the Israeli LGBTQ+ Association.

The archive comprises a wide range of collections, including: the Israeli LGBTQ+ press archive; press clippings documenting social and political struggles; organisational archives of community organisations; personal collections; media items; radio and television reports; photographs; landmark court rulings on LGBTQ+ rights; academic research; publications, posters and more.

The archive – the first institutional project in Israel dedicated to the social, cultural and political history of the LGBTQ+ community – is committed to providing reliable, documented and accessible knowledge to the general public. Its activity is supported by professional legal counsel from Adv. Eyal Roy Sage of AYR – Amar Reiter Jeanne Shochatowitz & Co. The archive is guided by an academic steering committee comprising around 12 senior researchers from a range of disciplines, and operates in cooperation with the National Library and in coordination with local initiatives.

Launch Event of the First Israeli Pride Archive

The launch event will take place on Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 16:00, at Tel Aviv University, Gilman Building, Room 496.

The event will feature leading figures from academia and the LGBTQ+ community. The programme will include two sessions:

• “Why and for whom do we create?”
  With Iris Rachamimov and Ariel Hirschfeld

• “Archives, Queerness and Research”
  A panel discussion with Elia Amsalem, Daniella Daniel, Yuval Yanai, Yarden Stern and Inbar Gordon

Greetings will be delivered by:

• Prof. Neta Ziv, Vice President of Tel Aviv University for Equity, Diversity & Community

• Yael Sini Biblash, CEO of the Israeli LGBTQ+ Association

• Yasmin Inbar, Director of the Israeli Pride Archive

The establishment of the archive marks a historic milestone in making the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel accessible — especially at a time when the founding generation is gradually disappearing. The archive will support research, education and the preservation of knowledge about the struggles, individuals and events that have shaped the community over the decades.

Coverage: MAKO