Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Issues
The Massachusetts legislature recently reaffirmed the
state’s first-in-the-nation same-sex marriage ruling, unequivocally protecting
the rights of gays and lesbians to wed in the state. “The vote was not just for
marriage equality,” exclaimed MA Gov. Deval Patrick,” but for equality itself.”
Sheila Decter, Executive Director of JALSA - the Jewish
Alliance for Law and Social Action, a Boston-based Jewish social justice group
that strongly supported the effort to sustain the marriage equality decision,
writes compellingly about the Jewish community’s capacity and willingness to
organize around this same-sex equality issue.
It wasn't easy, and the challenges ahead remain daunting, but
the decision by the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Conservative movement's flagship
institution, to accept qualified gay and lesbian students to its rabbinical and
cantorial schools, is historic. How did Conservative Judaism's attitude toward gays
and their role in the clergy change?
Reprinted from the World Congress on Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender Jews.
By GERALD L. ZELIZER
Over the past few decades, the cultural battles over
homosexuality have been waged in courtrooms, workplaces, schools and any number
of other public forums. Religions, too, have become divided over the issue. You
need not look very far for headlines showing splits over the acceptance of gay
clergy or congregants. Rabbi Gerald Zelizer of New Jersey takes a personal view
on the Conservative Movement’s decision to revisit a 1992 ruling to reject
lifting the ban on gay rabbis.
Gay and Lesbian Rights and Jewish Values
From RELIGIOUS
ACTION CENTER
The two most often cited Biblical texts concerning
homosexuality are both found in the book of Leviticus, where they are in the
context of a larger section directing sexual behavior. First, it is written:
"Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an
abhorrence." (Leviticus 18:22) The second citation is from Leviticus
20:13, where we read that "If a man lies with a male as one lies with a
woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing; they shall be put to
death-their blood guilt is upon them."
However, we are also guided by the very basic belief that
all human beings are created b'tselem Elohim (in the Divine image), as
it says in Genesis 1:27, "And God created humans in God's own image, in
the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them."
Rabbi David Saperstein said in Congressional testimony in support of ENDA that
"regardless of context, discrimination against any person arising from
apathy, insensitivity, ignorance, fear, or hatred is inconsistent with this
fundamental belief. We oppose discrimination against all individuals, including
gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, for the stamp of the divine is present in each
and every one of us."
Each of us, created in God's image, has a unique talent,
with which we can contribute to the high moral purpose of tikkun olam,
the repair of our world. Excluding anyone from our community lessens our chance
of achieving this goal of a more perfect world.
WCGLBTJ consists of around 50 member organizations in
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel,
Mexico, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United
States. The World Congress holds conferences and workshops representing the
interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender Jews around the world.
The focus of these sessions varies from regional, national, continental, to
global.
Keshet ("Rainbow") seeks to create a fully
welcoming and inclusive Jewish community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) Jews in Greater Boston. Keshet develops leadership for
change among GLBT Jews and allies to effect concrete changes in Jewish
institutions' policies and cultures. Keshet also creates opportunities for GLBT
Jews to come together, celebrate, and explore our Jewish identities in an
affirming environment.
Produced by Keshet;
Sponsored by Jewish Women’s Archives
Hineini chronicles Shulamit Izen's efforts to
raise awareness about gay and lesbian issues at the New Jewish High School (now
called Gann Academy). Hineini tells the story of a whole
community inspired and changed by one girl's courage.
