In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gil Hovav, Israel's leading culinary journalist and television personality. Gil was recently in Boston in celebration of “Out In Israel Month” a program to educate about the status of civil rights for LGBT Israeli citizens and exchange ideas about our LGBT community in both Israel and Massachusetts. We talked to Hovav about this, LGBT issues, his newest cookbook “Confessions of a Kitchen Rebbetzin” and his spin on the current Gaza conflict.
When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Hovav stated, “To tell you the truth I’m not a very political person. So I usually do not lead pride. Sometimes because I’m known in Israel they ask me to join this fight or another and I always do it gladly but I’m not a picket sign holder. I think that the most important thing when you reach a certain level of celebrity is to be out because otherwise it’s a bad example for youngsters. Of course I am against outing but I think that it’s my moral duty to be as out as I can, to speak to people, to talk to people about my loving family, of my relationship with my boyfriend and our relationship with our daughter. The fact is our life is no different then the lives of straight couples that live around us, with us, and the fact that life can be really good and full and happy when you are gay.”
Gil began his career as a restaurant critic, became an editor in Israel's leading newspaper, and was involved in the creation of some of Israel's most popular television cooking and food shows. These shows include the classic "Pepper, Garlic and Olive Oil", "Captain Cook" and "Going to the Market". The series were later turned into best-selling cookbooks. Currently Hovav is busy with his publishing and production company Toad Communications and lecturing worldwide. Gil lives with his partner of 24 years whom he met during their army service and together they raise their nine-year-old daughter Naomi.
For More Info: outinisrael.org
Fascinating, enlightening and entertaining interview. Thank you, OUTTAKE VOICES and thank you Chef Gil Hovav.
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