If you’re not new to the LGBTQ Jewish events and retreats in New York, then you’ve probably met Justin Rosen and his partner Avi Smolen. Justin is one of those guys who couldn’t help but devote his life to Judaism.

So what wonderful news it was when these two announced that they were getting married. And, as a good Jewish couple, they were doing it young so they can undoubtedly start a family. Pure speculation. But the point is, if you’re looking for model Jewish families, this is one that if they were straight more of the Jewish world would celebrate.

Even more exciting was that their announcement was carried in The New Jersey Jewish Standard. One of the fun things about being a young LGBTQ Jew is that a lot of what we do gets to be the first or among the first of its kind.  In this case, the first announcement of a same-sex couple in that paper.

Long story short, some Orthodox leaders objected, the paper said it would no longer publish such announcements of same-sex couples, and then they reconsidered and said they would continue to publish same-sex marriage announcements.

There is plenty of coverage but I think the initial response, even though it has since been retracted, is worth looking at:

A group of rabbis has reached out to us and conveyed the deep sensitivities within the traditional/Orthodox community to this issue. Our subsequent discussions with representatives from that community have made us aware that publication of the announcement caused pain and consternation, and we apologize for any pain we may have caused.

The Jewish Standard has always striven to draw the community together, rather than drive its many segments apart. We have decided, therefore, since this is such a divisive issue, not to run such announcements in the future.

I’ll simply say this, is it not astounding that anyone, even for a moment, in this day and age, in this area, could think that the way to draw the community together is to exclude part of it?

JTA has good coverage, with a video of the couple:

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Dear all (Dutch text below),

Spread the word:

In the weekend of the 18 - 20 December a group of Jewish LGBTQ people from London (age 20-40) will come to Amsterdam to celebrate shabbat and have great fun!

In doing this, they would like to invite gay Jews from other countries. You (or your friends)!

Are you interested in being part of this weekend (or a part of it, like: Candlelight kosher dinner on Friday Night, Shabbat celebration, clubbing, lectures, staying over in the hotel), please email Alan Aziz at alan@brijnet.org. He will give you more details about the program and costs. Attached the English invitation.

Hope to see you there!

–
Beste allemaal,

In het weekend van 18 t/m 20 december komt er een groep Joodse homo’s en lesbiennes (leeftijd tussen de 20 en 40, als ik het goed begrijp) van Londen naar Amsterdam. Zij zullen hier shabbat vieren en de stad onveilig maken. Om dit zo goed mogelijk te doen, zijn ze op zoek naar gelijkgestemden uit Europa, Israel en Amerika, jullie dus!

Bij deze, attached, de Engelse aankondiging voor het weekend. Ben je geinteresseerd in het bijwonen van dit hele weekend, of een onderdeel daarvan (shabbatviering, diner, uitgaan, hotelovernachting, museumbezoek), email dan organisator Alan Aziz op alan@brijnet.org
Hij kan je verdere details en prijzen geven.

Groeten,

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´

Gideon Querido van Frank

NYU Langone Medical Center just launched a new online research study called “Project Rewind.”  Anyone can go fill out the survey.

From the Project Rewind Site:

Project Rewind is an anonymous online research survey. The purpose of this study is to help us better understand the relationship between pornography, drug and alcohol use, and the sexual practices of men who have sex with men.

This survey is being conducted by NYU School of Medicine. Participation is voluntary. All information in this survey will be recorded anonymously, so names and contact information will not be attached to survey responses. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete.

At the end of the survey, you will have an opportunity to enter a raffle for a $200 gift certificate to iTunes. Entering the raffle will not link your name to your survey responses.

Click over to Project Rewind to take the survey!

Gay Research Study, Safe Sex Study, Gay Porn

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Fellow Activists:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear
friend and community activist, Gay Catholic Priest, Rev. Dr. Paul E.
Murray.

Rev. Dr. Murray, Chairperson of the God &
Sexuality Conference, Catholic Chaplain and Visiting Assistant
Professor of Religion at Bard College passed away on On
January 31st in his home in
Tivoli, NY.

Dr. Murray was an author, teacher, scholar, and activist. 
He touched thousands of lives and devoted his spiritual and intellectual
energies to creating a more dynamic, welcoming, and safe Catholic
church and understanding of religion in general.  Paul was the founder
and executive director of Among Friends, Inc.,
which provides transitional housing, counseling, and job-search support
to persons in crisis. 

Paul was a great and quiet man.  He changed the lives of thousands and
offered a vision of compassion, spirituality, and promise to Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people of all ages and faiths.  
His work was confident, his beliefs deep, his patience endless.  He
is greatly missed.

He most recently published his memoir Life in Paradox, The Story of a Gay Catholic Priest
(2008, O Books). Other publications include: “A Cultural Reading of Literature on the Catholic Church in the South,” Culture of Bible Belt
Catholics; “The ‘International Outlook’,” Place of the Person in Social Life; and articles, interviews, and book reviews in
Anthropos; Technology and Disability; National Catholic Reporter; Charities, U.S.A.; Washington
Blade. 

He is survived by his mother Verna H. Murray, sister
Rebecca Burns, nieces Julia Warga and Jennifer Glynn, and many friends, students, and colleagues.

Friends may call at the Arlington Funeral Home, 3901 N. Fairfax Dr.,
Arlington, VA on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. A mass of
Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at
10:30 a.m. in St. Stephen-Martyr Catholic Church, 2436 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW, Washington DC. Interment to follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Falls
Church, VA.

Memorial contributions maybe made to the
The God and Sexuality Conference at Bard College, PO Box 5000,
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504.  Please let us know if you would like to make a contribution in Paul’s memory.

In Sorrow,

Gabriel Blau

Director, The God & Sexuality Conference

Gay Catholic Priest, Paul Murray, Bard College,

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…)

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/