This is really wonderful.  Kudos to Keith and MSNBC.  Let them know how you feel about Keith’s comment by emailing them here.

This isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics, and this isn’t really just about Prop-8.  And I don’t have a personal investment in this: I’m not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.

And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand.

Click below to watch the video and see the full transcript… (more…)

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Stand Up.  Fight for your Rights.  The measure may have passed, but it’s the wrong change in state law.  Good must prevail and the promise of equality restored.

Here’s a list of protest happening this weekend in California care of Towleroad.com

prop 8, gay marriage, equal rights, propoganda

This one will blow you away.  She’s about as qualified to be Vice President as a Pitbull (with or without lipstick) but, this just blew me away.  Sarah Palin wanted rape victims to… I can’t even say it… just check it out…

Many of you will be reading this article after one of this month’s many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride events.  First established to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion of June 27-28, 1969, GLBT (or LGBT) Pride is now observed worldwide as a community-wide celebration that unites all genders, races, classes and lifestyles.  By taking part in Pride events, we assert who we, as individuals and as a people.  We contribute all that is good in us to Pride events and in return Pride makes us feel good about ourselves and others like us.  In short, Pride is a tremendous morale boost and an antidote to self-hatred and internalized heterosexism and homophobia.

Unfortunately, Pride events are usually followed by all-too real and not very proud reality.  After Pride ends, we must return to a world that hates us as much as it did before Pride began.  Back in the eighties, bad news always seemed to follow a Pride celebration.  (more…)

For years my husband and I didn’t go to our local LGBTQ Synagogue. We wanted to be Gay in a Jewish community. Then we went. And we were hooked. Simply put, we don’t just feel we belong, we really like the shul. And that seems to be the case around the country as LGBTQ synagogues find themselves with lots of non-LGBTQ congregants.

This was bound to happen as these shuls are expert at creating relevant Jewish experiences (something Jews all over seem to be seeking and having trouble finding) and the family members and friends of the LGBTQ members start coming. My mother and step dad recently joined our shul, and our son is a member, and we have no idea what his sexual identity will be.

Here’s a recent article sent to us by a reader. Thanks MH.

http://www.forward.com/articles/12994/

Our friend D’ror over at the Columbia / Barnard Hillel decided it was time people in Hillel knew what being LGBTQ and Jewish was really about (we don’t all want to sit around reading leviticus over and over and over again… and we’re not “just like straight people… you know, but gay”!)

Anyhow, so D’ror decided it was time to put together a resource guide. And so he did. It’s officially Hillel and will be distributed in just a few days. So, Mazal Tov to D’ror and thanks for all of your hard work!

Here’s an article in The Advocate about it!

Hillel Reaches Out to LGBTQ Students | News | Advocate.com:

“There exists a common belief that religious groups are not open to the LGBTQ community,” D’ror Chankin-Gould, editor of the resource guide and Jewish Campus Service Corps senior fellow at Columbia University and Barnard College, said in a press release. “This guide is helping Hillel break down barriers and cultivate an inclusive, welcoming home for all Jewish students.”

Other Articles:

• New Article in the Washington Jewish Week
• Article in The Forward

The Resource Guide for LGBT Jewish students and programming is Available Here: http://www.hillel.org/lgbtq

A great Gay Jew we know, went to Yeshiva of Flatbush, the well know and old Orthodox Yeshiva in, well, Flatbush (Thats Brooklyn, NY.) He graduated 10 years ago. Now he wants to go to the alumni party dressed up as himself, with his partner. They don’t recognize marriage for Same-Sex couples. They said he can come, but alone.

Here’s the story, in his own words:

Dear Friends-

I will not be attending the YOF ten year reunion this coming Motzei Shabbat. Despite an attempt on my part to RSVP for the event in a non-confronational manner and without raising political controversy, the administration has made it clear that my relationship of five years is a relationship that is either not significant enough to be seen in public, or that the Yeshivah’s halachic standards for attendance are so strict that I didn’t make the cut. In either case, despite never having disclosed the gender of my partner (or even using the word partner), I was politely asked to come alone to the event.

Unfortunately, that’s not good enough for me anymore. I’ve reached a point in my life where half of an invitation just isn’t enough. If I’m going to come to the event, I’m going to come as I am, without hiding anything; I’m proud of myself and my accomplishments. I’m not going to make a scene, but I’m also not going to show up knowing that a huge part of my life has been omitted.

I wish you all the best, and will be thinking of you on motzei shabbat. Please give my warmest regards to our classmates. Feel free to drop me a line and keep in touch with me at XXXXXXXXXX@XXXXXXXX.XXX

Shabbat Shalom. Enjoy the reunion!

>>>>
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,

The Director of our Alumni Association forwarded your request to bring your partner with you to the 10th anniversary reunion this coming Saturday night. As previously stated to you, we welcome your attendance and look forward to your participation.
However, your partner cannot attend.

The policy of the school and that is enforced is that only graduates and their spouses ( engagements are recognized ) are invited. We cannot acknowledge or define your partner relationship as one that falls under this policy.
We kindly ask you to respect and follow our Yeshivah’s policy and attend the reunion without your partner.

Congratulations on your 10th anniversary.

Dennis M. Eisenberg
Executive Vice President
Yeshivah of Flatbush

<<<<

So much went on this week I just can’t get it all on this post right now.  But the internet is hopping with articles and posts about LGBTQ Jewish related topics.  Here aare just a few - the directly related.

Have a great Rosh Hashana.  There are a number of service options on the calendar.

Ivri Lider discusses his recent blacklisting.
By gay TLV(gay TLV)
Israeli pop star Ivri Lider’s fame in Israel has climbed steadily over a decade-long career, only increasing after he came out in 2002. As proud of his country as he is of being gay, the singer even did double duty during his US tour…
http://gaytlv.blogspot.com/2007/09/ivri-lider-discusses-his-recent.html

Rabbi speaks out on same-sex ceremony
DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA,USA
… I was going to do one for two gay friends of hers and let the press know about it, BUT NOT ME or Temple B’nai Jeshurun. Neither of the men was Jewish. …
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070901/NEWS/70901013/1001/NEWS

Big Brother: Big Brother Thy Name Is CBS
Reality TV Calendar - Prescott,Canada
There have been homophobic (anti-gay) remarks. There have been Anti-Semantic (anti-Jewish) remarks as well. That’s a whole lot of controversy for one little …
http://realitytvcalendar.com/shows/bb8/commentary/crd-9317-p1.html

Trail blazer
Bay Windows - Boston,MA,USA
Max Feldman, who wrote and recorded the first song that proclaimed a lesbian identity, died unexpectedly at home in Albuquerque, NM, on Aug. 17. …
http://baywindows.com

Lesbian trail blazer Maxine Feldman dies
EDGE Boston - Boston,MA,USA
Those who knew Feldman offstage described a person who was alternately sensitive and gentle or loud, proud and, in the words of Tyler, “very Jewish. …
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=22667

Anti-Semitic symbols scrawled on LI synagogue, high school
Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA
“This was an act against Jews, but it could be an act against people of color, or people who are gay,” said Rabbi Lee Friedlander, of the synagogue, …
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–synagoguedefaced0902sep02,0,7583959.story

SF Democrats Promote Anti-Semitic Jesus Band in Wash Sq Park
Bay Area Indymedia - San Francisco,CA,USA
This noisey band also showed up at Washington Square Park during Gay Pride weekend in June, and were called Jews for Jesus and openly promoted not only the …
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/09/01/18445287.php

Today’s the day for the Jewdas film fest
By Levi9909(Levi9909)
From gay rights to comic books, from vegans to the Middle East, all issues for modern Jewry will be explored on screen. The screening includes the European premiere of American doc Young, Jewish and Left and the UK’s first cinema …
http://jewssansfrontieres.blogspot.com/2007/09/todays-day-for-jewdas-film-fest.html

JTA.org — Gay, lesbian Brazilian Jews want acceptance
A group representing Brazilian gay and lesbian Jews focuses on how to reconcile homosexuality with Judaism and how the various streams of Judaism relate to …
http://www2.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/InBrazilgayandl.html

Israeli filmmaker makes ‘invisible years’ clearer
Israel 21C - Cupertino,CA,USA
In terms of the Israel’s aging gay population, he sees similarities, differences and universal themes as compared to the New York and other scenes. …
http://www.israel21c.org/

Eytan Fox’s ‘The Bubble’: a gay love story in Israel - San …
By zer0
Eytan Fox’s ‘The Bubble’: a gay love story in Israel San Francisco Chronicle, USA - 31 minutes ago There isn’ta Castro, but maybe it means we’re in a more advanced place, where gay people are all over and part of mainstream society. …
http://zer0s.net/2007/09/02/eytan-foxs-the-bubble-a-gay-love-story-in-israel-san-francisco-chronicle/

Hungarian gay groups condemn radio station’s Nazi photomontage
UX.TV - Maastricht, Netherlands
The creation of the Magyar Garda by the extreme-right party Jobbik has raised fears among the Jewish community both in Hungary and internationally. …
http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=13602

Eytan Fox’s ‘The Bubble’: a gay love story in Israel
San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
“She was an American Jewish lady who moved with her husband and three children to Israel in the mid ’60s, and after the initial shock - Jerusalem was such a …
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/30/PKE8RMNR6.DTL&type=movies

The show may go on for canceled student play
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
Both the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando and the Orlando Gay Chorus said they would help find space, actors and anything else the teens need this …
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/stage/theater/orl-play0207sep02,0,2536649.story

Rosh HaShanah (The beginning of the Jewish Year)
By gay TLV(gay TLV)
In two weeks from now, the Jewish world will celebrate the begining of a new year (Rosh HaShanah ). By the tradition, Rosh HaShanah is the day on which God created Man, Adam, God’s final and most precious creation. …
http://gaytlv.blogspot.com/2007/09/rosh-hashanah-beginning-of-jewish-year.html

The day was hot, and the crowd was big. An hour before the parade got down to 12th and 5th where we were, the streets were already lined with thousands of supporters. This year, for the first time, the many religious groups that are part of the march weren’t towards the end when people are tired, and the day has already been saturated by near-naked bodies and pulsating music. No, this year they were at the very front. And, frankly, it was awesome.

The ritual of the march is fairly moving. First come the Dykes on Bikes, loud, simple, in your face, totally friendly. Their opening is ceremonial. It is exciting and reassuring. They come ahead of the rest of the community with an unmistakable presence. They clear the road and send a simple message: we are here. They always seem to me like our protectors, our big sisters that won’t let anyone ruin our day, or ignore our fight. Then come the organizers (Thank You Heritage of Pride) and the Stonewall Veterans. You can’t help but feel a sense of pride and reality, as these men and women come by, reminding you of how far we’ve come and how far there is to go.

But now come the Grand Marshals. This year Rabbi Sharron Kleinbaum and Reverend Dr. Troy Perry lead the way. And there presence, followed by group after group of religious communities (30 communities in the first section alone!) was met with roaring cheers from the crowd. The annual discussion after the march seems to be about the glistening bodies taking over (not that we don’t enjoy them.) But this year Heritage of Pride, affirmed by the community, put religious and community groups front and center. The music, the faces, the kippot, the collars, all created a feeling of community. Not because everyone there was religious, but because we have come to learn in NY that these communities work very hard to support our families, friends, and city.  The long felt schism between religion and LGBTQ pride is being recognized as only one part of the story.  Our community has long been supported and strengthened by faith, and many of these group were created by the LGBTQ population.

Following them came all kinds of other community groups that are not the big names we all know (and are proud of) like PS 3, an elementary school downtown on the west side. The Little Red School House was also there, with a float covered in paintings by their students. There was also the North East Two-Spirit Society and African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change.  It was Queer in the best ways, and it was loving.

We’ll try to get some photos up soon.