“I Couldn’t live a double life”: Giora Manor, the kibbutz, and 'the transparent closet'

This paper investigates the concealed homosexual experiences of Giora Manor, a prominent figure in Israeli cultural life, within the context of a kibbutz community. Drawing on primary sources including Manor's personal documents from Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek's archives, interviews with kibbutz elders, and Manor's journalistic, autobiographical, and scholarly writings, this study examines the dynamics of the closet within the kibbutz from the 1940s to the 1980s. The study provides a rare opportunity to explore the lives of homosexual men in Israel during a time when same-sex relationships were illegal. It focuses on two key aspects: firstly, the social organization of privacy and secrecy within the kibbutz community, which shaped the experiences of its members through rumors and gossip; and secondly, the knowledge and understanding of homosexuality that were available to kibbutz members at the time. By analyzing Manor's personal journey and experiences, this study addresses broader tensions inherent in kibbutz history, such as the balancing between individual and collective identities, the interplay between private and public spheres, and the complex dynamics between the kibbutz community and individuals deemed deviant or non-conforming.