Rauda Morcos facts for kids

Rauda Morcos (Arabic: روضة مرقس) is a Palestinian-Israeli poet and human rights activist. She lives in Haifa, Israel, and is from Northern Israel. In 2003, a newspaper shared private information about her life without her permission. This led to her losing her job and facing difficult situations. After this, she helped other women start Aswat. This was the first Palestinian group created to support women who faced similar challenges. She was also one of its first leaders.

Early Challenges and Activism

In 2003, Rauda Morcos was interviewed by Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, about her poetry. During the interview, she mentioned something personal about her life. She said the journalist promised not to share this information. However, the newspaper published it, which caused her to lose her job as a youth educator.

After the article, she faced physical attacks and her car was damaged many times. She also received anonymous threats and worried about her safety. These experiences made her even more determined to help others.

Founding Aswat

Before 2003, Morcos had already joined other women in an online discussion group. This group started having regular meetings in 2001. In 2003, they officially created Aswat, which means "Voices." This organization was based in Haifa.

Aswat became the first group in the Arab region to offer support to Palestinian women who faced similar challenges. Morcos was one of its early leaders. She said that when Aswat started, some groups, like the Islamic Movement in Israel, spoke out against them.

Recognition and Views

In 2006, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (now called OutRight Action International) gave Rauda Morcos the Felipa de Souza Award. This award recognized her important work with Aswat. She was the first Arab person to receive this honor.

In 2007, Aswat held its first big conference in Haifa. About 350 people attended the event. Morcos has also shared her thoughts on how international aid organizations sometimes work with Arab communities. She believes they can be too controlling.

Morcos has also talked about how the struggles of Palestinians and people who are different are connected. She believes both groups face challenges and work to overcome unfair treatment. She said that "the Palestinian identity and the Queer identity converge in being both marginalized and they are both about resisting oppression."

She has also noted that while Israeli laws might seem advanced, they are not always applied fairly in real life. She mentioned that it can be difficult to be different in places like the West Bank and even in parts of Israel.

Continued Work

Rauda Morcos has worked as an advisor for several important organizations. These include the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Coalition of Women for Peace, the Global Fund for Women, Human Rights Watch, and Mama Cash.

As of 2012, she was working independently for Hivos, a Dutch organization that helps with development. She was also studying law at the Carmel Academic Center in Haifa.

Activism for Change

Rauda Morcos continues to be an important voice for human rights. In August 2020, she spoke about positive changes happening in the Palestinian community. She noted that people were becoming more accepting of those who are different. This change was especially clear after the funeral of Ayman Safieh, a well-known member of the Palestinian community who worked for acceptance.

See also

In Spanish: Rauda Morcos para niños

• LGBT rights in the State of Palestine
• LGBT rights in Israel