Intersection of Multiple Minority Positions of Arab- Palestinian Gay Men in Israel: An Exploratory Study

Arab-Palestinian gay men (APGM) in Israel are considered both a sexual minority and a national-ethnic-religious minority group. This locates APGM at the nexus of multiple marginal positions within their local Arab communities and in Israeli society at large. Despite the complexity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning Arabs’ social position worldwide, research in this area remains limited. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to address this gap by employing an intersectional lens to examine the social exclusion and inclusion of APGM. We applied purposive and snowball sampling for interviews (N = 20) and a focus group (N = 8) with APGM living in traditional rural communities in Israel. The study findings reveal that participants experience numerous forms of exclusion across three main life spheres: the family and local community sphere, the educational and economic sphere, and the intimate sphere. This dynamic creates a form of hyperexclusion, reinforced by structural stigma, which can limit life opportunities and negatively influence health and well-being of APGM. We draw on intersectionality theory and studies of Arab and Muslim sexual minorities to discuss the study findings and suggest implications for research, policy, and practice.