Thursday, March 26, 2009

Queer Judaism

The issue of queer Judaism has been a hot topic for a long time. Only a few years ago, the Jewish Theological Seminary allowed Rabbinic Ordination of homosexuals, which was a huge deal. I have many good friends and close family members of mine that are homosexual that do their absolute best to lead Jewish lives. Some are even major leaders in their community as a few have served on various youth group executive boards. So as time has gone on, homosexuals have become more and more involved and excepted within the Jewish community especially in the Reform and Conservative communities, with the Conservative making more breakthroughs with the entire issue despite the struggles that homosexuals go through.
One film comes to my mind when I think about homosexual Jews, and that is Trembling Before G-d. The movie features many Orthodox Jews struggling with their sexuality in Judaism, and finding it harder to lead a Jewish life, let alone live in their own respective Jewish communities because of their homosexuality. I find it really appalling that the Orthodox comunity blatantly rejects homosexuals in their own community and even families.
There is a site that does support homosexual frum Jews. Which helps bring a lot comfort to those struggling. JQYouth.org is a group for homosexual Orthodox Jews that has frequent meetings and discussions about their respective situations. The site sends probably the most important message to Orthodox homosexuals: you are not alone. One thing that the site capitalizes is the fact that although Orthodox Judaism restricts homosexual acts, specifically penetration, it doesn't restrict homosexual feelings. If anything, this provides somewhat of a better resolution to frum Jews who are homosexual, but such can only go so far for only feelings for homosexual Orthodox Jews.

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