| Founded | 1989, Tel Aviv, Israel |
|---|---|
| Area served | Israel |
| Focus | Support group, Advocacy, Campaigning |
| Website | www.tehila.org.il |
Tehila (Hebrew: תהל"ה Tehila, lit.: "praise, adoration"; an acronym of: תמיכה להורים של לסביות, הומוסקסואלים ,ביסקסואלים/יות ,וטרנסג'נדרס, Temicha LeHorim Shel Lesbiyut Homoseksualim Biseksualim/iut VeTransjenders, lit.: "Support for the Parents of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered") is a mutual support group in Israel for parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.[1] The organizations activities include operating support groups, telephone help lines, and a website, as well as publishing and distributing supportive information.
The organization is based on the principles of and is very similar to the American organization PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).[2]
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Tehila was founded in 1989, by the initiative of Jonathan Danilowitz, and founded by mothers Devorah Luz, Mali ירוס, and two other mothers. Initially, the organization met once a month in Tel Aviv. Later on, additional meetings were made elsewhere in the country.
Currently, the head of the organization is Ayala Katz, whose 26-year old son Nir was shot to death during the tragic shooting at Bar-Noar LGBT-club on August 1, 2009.
She was preceded by Yael Agmon who took over the job from Hannah Agmon. Before Hannah Agmon, the head of the organization was for many years Devorah Luz, who authored together with Sarah Avni the book, "Mom, I've Got Something To Tell You: Parents and Their Children Come Out of The Closet" (Hebrew: אמא, יש לי משהו לספר לך: הורים וילדיהם על היציאה מן הארון, Ima, Yesh Li Mashehu LeSaper Lach: Horim VeYaldehem Al HaYetsi'ah Min HaAron), (Shufra LeSifrut Yafah, 2000),[3] to deal with the topic of LGBT and parenthood.
Parents, brothers, sisters, and also the children themselves wanting to support their parents come to the meetings. The organization also works in participation with the rest of the LGBT community organizations.
On the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, in 2006, the organization sent letters to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Moshe Katsav, and Minister of Education Yuli Tamir, demanding they work to reduce homophobia in society. The President responded to the organization, and published an announcement in support of the goals of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and calling for tolerance towards sexual minorities. The Minister of Education promised a stage in the Knesset for the bringing in of content into the education system.
Representatives from Tehila have participated in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade for several years, and in 2009, were chosen to lead the parade.