Dalia is the Exec Director of Keshet UK, a charity whose ethos is that no-one should be made to choose between their Jewish and gay identity. 

Currently, her work often reaches those who have not traditionally considered or engaged with LGBT+ inclusion, and this is further explored during this episode. 

Being Queer means different things to different people, and there are some people who hate the word, too. Under the rainbow umbrella, there are many communities, all of which can be part of the “family of choice”. 

Being Queer is not only surviving the heteronormative world. It is also about thriving unapologetically. It takes courage and defiance for some of us, but it is worth it. Thriving within the community is also called “Queer Joy”.

It is not about dismissing the struggles of living as a Queer person in this world, but it is about the hope of doing more than just surviving. Queer Joy, like any other emotions, is not static, it is not something we attain and hope to maintain.

It is an emotion that comes and goes, like happiness or sadness, but to cultivate Queer Joy, as in, to allow enough space for Queer Joy to emerge once in a while; we need to work on ourselves, our mental health and our overall well being.

One of the things we can keep doing is to make sure that we are always kind to ourselves, and not collude with internalised homophobia or negative self talk...