Karam Dadu was born in Akko and led a regular life of every arab teenager until he was 14. He told me he can never forget the day of a family member wedding, when he was told by his mother he was next to wed. It was told him as a happy joke, but the answer changed his whole life. Karam told his family he was into boys. The abuse and violence started the same moment and continued till he fled the family and Acco the same day he turned sixteen. "I hated myself every day.", he told me, during those two years. "I want to die" was every day single thought. He fled to Tel Aviv, lived on streets and endured struggles most people of his age can't even imagine. He felt the life was going to end. But the seemingly feeble boy became strong young man. He found refuge in Beit Dror - shelter for young gays, banished by their families, started to work and perform. He discovered the world of drag performances and became one of the best known drag queens on Tel Aviv. He not only performed, but also wrote his shows by himself. He found passion in cooking and reached to position of su-chef in one of the best Tel Aviv vegan restaurants. he participated in famous Israeli cooking show on TV. He left Beit Dror, but continued to volunteer there and cook for dozens of boys for holidays. He had the photography exhibition about him in Tel Aviv LGBT center gallery and the documentary film about his life shown during Tel Aviv LGBT Film Festival. He even tried to enlist to Israeli Army, but was rejected. All this before he even turned 25. But the seemingly fairy tale story wasn't going to workout in Israel. He still had the family in Akko, who reached him even in Tel Aviv and harassed him. Even with all his success, he was gay and outcast to his own kin. For Israeli people he was an arab guy and there was always the tension of not being completely blending in. The decision came after his father publicly assaulted him during Master Chef TV show. Karam decided to fled. He left for Amsterdam year ago with idea never to return. He lives now there with his boyfriend, works and perform in shows. He gained his freedom, but we lost a wonderful human being, who could make the place we live in a bit better one ...
