Even in Israel: professor Uzi Even is the first openly gay member in Israel's parliament��but that's only his latest accomplishment - Behind the Headlines

When Uzi Even was sworn into office November 4, he became the first openly gay member of the Israeli legislature, the Knesset.

But for Even, a 62-year-old chemistry professor at Tel Aviv University, it's just the latest in a series of historic breakthroughs. Kicked out of the Israeli army for being gay, Even led the successful 1993 campaign to end its ban on gay and lesbian service members. And in a twist seemingly torn from the script of Torch Song Trilogy, Even and his partner, Amit Kama, adopted a teenage gay son, Yosi Even-Kama, whom they are raising together.

In an E-mail interview, The Advocate chatted with Even about Middle Eastern gay politics, the Palestinian conflict, and his family life.

How did your appointment come about?

[Gay activism] established a caucus in Meretz [one of Israel's liberal political parties]. [We] influenced its political platform, got representation, got [lesbian Michal Eden] elected to the city council in Tel Aviv, and got me elected to a position that put me in the Knesset.

Do you plan to pursue gay rights issues?

Nondiscrimination laws in the workplace are already in place, [but] we are still not fully recognized as couples or family units. Many laws have to be rephrased to [acknowledge] gay families.

How do you answer religions critics in the Knesset?

A recent public poll asked, "Do you endorse Uzi Even's candidacy to the Knesset?" A whopping 76% were affirmative. Even the ultraorthodox section of our society responded with 40% approval. We won the battle for people's hearts, but the religious critics do not realize it yet.

Tell us about your partner, Amit Kama, and your son, Yosi Even-Kama.

Amit is an expert in communication theory, working at the Open University in Tel Aviv. We met 16 years ago and have been together since. I love him very much. His continued support, encouragement, and nagging have shaped my public life. Yosi turned to us for help after coming out to his parents at age 15. His home situation became unbearable, [and] he moved in with us with his parents' consent. He was 15 at that time. The welfare office recognized us as a foster family--a first.

You played a pivotal role in getting the military to drop its ban on gay soldiers. How has that worked out?

My son [Yosi] served as an openly gay soldier for the compulsory three-year stretch, from 1996 to 1999, and I could learn from him firsthand how he was treated. One day his commanding officer arranged a date for him with another gay soldier. [Gays and lesbians] in the military are no longer an issue in Israel.

Israel and the United States share military goals and operations. What do you think the chances are that the Pentagon could follow Israel's lead and allow openly gay people to serve?

A [U.S.] government delegation sent by met with me in 1994 to learn from the Israeli experience. The Israeli military is respected for the fighting spirit of its units, and critics claimed that spirit would be "mortally harmed by gay integration." This idea and other stupid notions, such as the shower problem and AIDS, expressed in my office by this delegation, made it clear to me that there is no chance for a change in the near future in your military. It may be that the reason is that your army is a professional one, while ours is compulsory.

What do you think of President Bush and his approach to the war on terrorism?

The real cause for the protracted conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors is cultural differences, not territory. That same reason is the cause of terrorism aimed at the United States lately. I do not believe that military power alone can bridge that gap between East and West. A deeper change is required, like the one achieved in Japan after World War II. Is America ready to do that? I wonder.

Read more of this interview at www.advocate.com

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