This episode is about humans. This episode is about identity. This episode is about health. This episode is about self-awareness and self-care. This episode is about morality and this episode is about making sacrifices to pursue authenticity and wholeness. Any commentary outside of those themes is out of ignorance.
Michael Alroy, a contestant on Israel's Big Brother, a business owner, and a kind soul, speaks to his life journey and how it relates to his Judaism. Chaz Volk, an ally of the LGBTQA community and host of Bad Jew, investigates Alroy's journey to shed light on the human need to pursue inconvenient and difficult measures to embrace identity.
00:00 Introduction
05:01 Understanding gender
06:49 Realized identity
10:57 Emphasizing with the transgender community
15:07 Revealing transgender identity
18:12 Respect, kindness, reflection
22:27 Challenges in LGBTQ community
25:06 Promoting understanding and acceptance
26:49 Transition process
30:09 Outro
About Michael Alroy:
“Life begins where fear ends” was Michael’s motto when he made the bold decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery at the age of 21. This was an irreversible decision, which finally allowed him to be and look, the way he felt. From that point on there was no hesitation, regrets, and no holds barred as he transformed himself from Michelle Haziza, to Michael Alroy – a man of his own.
Michael Alroy was born Michelle Haziza in Johannesburg South Africa in 1990. He spent the first seven years of his life in South Africa and attended a Jewish Day School in Johannesburg until Grade 1. In Israel, Michael struggled to adapt to the strictly religious environment of his school as he began to experience a conflict with his gender identity. He felt like a boy in girls' clothing and hated the rules about dress and behavior imposed on him by the school. Nevertheless, the girls admired his spirit of independence and insistence on being and acting as he felt.
As you can imagine his school life was fraught with conflict and feelings of duality and awkwardness. His most joyous day was when he finally finished his schooling and was able to dress and act as he wanted. Still, he encountered more difficulties. The lecture provides an opportunity to hear first-hand Michael's touching and fascinating life story, whilst compelling the audience to identify with his plight and to look more closely at the society in which they live.
Michael awakens in each and every member of the audience their potential and power to make changes in their lives.
Connect with Michael Alroy:
YouTube @mikialroy21
IG @michael_alroy
LI Michael Alroy
Connect with Bad Jew:
BadJew.co
https://linktr.ee/badjew
BadJewPod@gmail.com
Ig @BadJewPod
TikTok @BadJewPod
