Agudah

The Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association (Hebrew|אגודת ההומואים, הלסביות, הביסקסואלים והטראנסקסואלים בישראל), known commonly as "the Agudah", is a national organization in Israel working on the grass-roots level to help advance the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people.

It was founded in 1975. It has branches in Tel Aviv, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Shmona, and Eilat.

Organization name
The Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association is also sometimes translated as variations of The Association of Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender in Israel, which is a more literal translation. The organization is known commonly as the Agudah (Hebrew|האגודה). "The Agudah" literally means the Assosciation and is a common term used to describe many Israeli and Jewish organizations. The organization name is also abbreviated as (Hebrew| אגודת הלהט"ב), "the LGBT Association".

The organization was originally named the Society for the Protection of Personal Rights (Hebrew|האגודה לשמירת זכויות הפרט). In 1988, following the repeal of anti-sodomy laws in Israel, the phrase "for Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals in Israel" was added to the name. In 1995, the name changed to "The Assosciation of Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals in Israel". The term Transgender was added to the name in 1999.

Founding of the organization and its early days
The Israeli GLBT Association was founded in Tel Aviv in 1975 by a group of 11 gay men and one lesbian.

They held the first pride parade in Kings of Israel Square.