Our very own Deborah Baer Mozes, Director of Arts & Culture, as well as Sharon Singer, Director of Public Affairs & Social Media attended Qfest and gave the opening remarks for the film "Melting Away" on Friday July 13, and Sunday July 15 respectively.
QFest is the city's LGBT film festival, and features over 60 films ranging from comedy to drama to shorts. Both Sharon and Deborah were delighted to be in attendence as well as deliver opening remarks for such a special event.
Bellow is a copy of Sharon Singer's speech from Sunday, July 15th.
Sharon Singer's remarks for the opening of the film "Melting Away"
Good Evening everyone and welcome to tonight's screening of the film "Melting Away" or in my native tongue, "Namess Bageshem"
It is a story of a boy who was kicked out of his home, only to come back as HER dying father's nurse.
I first saw the film a few months ago at the Philadelphia Israeli Film Festival.
What I took from It was that blood is thicker than prejudice.
In Israel, the transgender community first gained attention and respect of the general and gay & lesbian communities back in 1998, when Dana International, a male to female transgender represented Israel and won the very popular European Song Contest.
That opened a small yet significant window to understanding, which helped create what is now a more inclusive LGBTQ community in Israel.
Transgender characters have since been featured in documentaries as well as mainstream TV in Israel, further familiarizing the general public with the beauties and struggles of transgendered persons.
However, things are far from being perfect, both in Israel and in the USA.
Tel Aviv and Philadelphia , who are sister cities, are both open, liberal and warm homes to their respective countries' LGBTQ communities, and are both pioneers and leaders in fighting for and granting equal freedoms and liberties to their citizens.
But as I said, there is still a long way to go.
As a member of the global LGBTQ community, primarily Tel Aviv but for the last 18 month Philly, I hope that this film, which is Israel's first full-length movie focused on this issue, won't be the last.
And the fact that it is a mainstream movie, it will not only help keep the discussion on LGBTQ issues alive, but will also promote understanding and acceptance within all sectors of society, everywhere.