Comments on: Homosexuality Discussed in Forum at Orthodox Jewish School http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2009/12/homosexuality-discussed-in-forum-at-orthodox-jewish-school/ News and analysis of exgay politics and culture. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:21:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Regan DuCasse http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2009/12/homosexuality-discussed-in-forum-at-orthodox-jewish-school/comment-page-1/#comment-34815 Regan DuCasse Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:47:05 +0000 http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/?p=5688#comment-34815 Wow... Thanks for this Emily. It seems that Jews are more open to being educated by and experienced with the gay members of their community. Rather than reject the idea of even having discussions with gay people on their feelings, goals, intentions and hopes, there is a clear understanding of the importance of integrating with gay people to get to the truth. Where I volunteer at the Simon Weisenthal Center, I remember when PFLAG was invited to speak, participate in the full spectrum of educational materials the Center has to offer. Still, it seems that such things shouldn't require fanfare or a scheduled set aside event, but a factor encouraged by normal, integrated and supportive everyday congregation at home, in the classroom or temple. These are the places where anyone's sense of self, family and community are formed. The set aside announcement exacerbates the 'otherness' and 'outsider' status that gay people are forced into. Still, it's a bigger step taken than ever before. The Orthodox family next door to me have moved to a bigger home, they just had their third child, a boy this time and I can't have the easy interaction I got used to in these last two years. They are a VERY gay friendly couple (most of the other tenants are gay) and the rabbi had started working with jail inmates in rehab programs. Whenever we had conversations about civil rights and gay issues, they were always very supportive, even on marriage and especially open military service. Still, it's refreshing that this convergence happened, it's a step. After all, I've seen enough people talk about gay people without bothering to invite them to the conversation. Especially if the discussion was on laws that would directly and ADVERSELY affect gay people. I have a quote I got from a friend, and it's a truth that is hard to dispute. "Prejudice usually can't survive close contact with the people who are supposed to be so despicable, which is why the propagandists for hate always preach separation." Pat Califia Can I get a witness? Wow…
Thanks for this Emily. It seems that Jews are more open to being educated by and experienced with the gay members of their community.
Rather than reject the idea of even having discussions with gay people on their feelings, goals, intentions and hopes, there is a clear understanding of the importance of integrating with gay people to get to the truth.

Where I volunteer at the Simon Weisenthal Center, I remember when PFLAG was invited to speak, participate in the full spectrum of educational materials the Center has to offer.
Still, it seems that such things shouldn’t require fanfare or a scheduled set aside event, but a factor encouraged by normal, integrated and supportive everyday congregation at home, in the classroom or temple.
These are the places where anyone’s sense of self, family and community are formed.

The set aside announcement exacerbates the ‘otherness’ and ‘outsider’ status that gay people are forced into.

Still, it’s a bigger step taken than ever before. The Orthodox family next door to me have moved to a bigger home, they just had their third child, a boy this time and I can’t have the easy interaction I got used to in these last two years.
They are a VERY gay friendly couple (most of the other tenants are gay) and the rabbi had started working with jail inmates in rehab programs.

Whenever we had conversations about civil rights and gay issues, they were always very supportive, even on marriage and especially open military service.

Still, it’s refreshing that this convergence happened, it’s a step. After all, I’ve seen enough people talk about gay people without bothering to invite them to the conversation. Especially if the discussion was on laws that would directly and ADVERSELY affect gay people.

I have a quote I got from a friend, and it’s a truth that is hard to dispute.

“Prejudice usually can’t survive close contact with the people who are supposed to be so despicable, which is why the propagandists for hate always preach separation.”
Pat Califia

Can I get a witness?

]]> By: amazing grace http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2009/12/homosexuality-discussed-in-forum-at-orthodox-jewish-school/comment-page-1/#comment-34814 amazing grace Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:47:06 +0000 http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/?p=5688#comment-34814 Great article Emily! As one who falls on the side B issue of this topic I absolutely agree that it's always beneficial to have an event which helps others see that those who are gay, particularly if they have religious convictions about it, are just like them in so many respects and it helps take away the stereotypes and prejudices many have about same sex attracted individuals. I am in the evangelical world myself and only a handful of my friends know about my 'secret' and that's because too many are still unprepared or most don't even know that some of their friends, whether single or married, experience romantic feelings toward the same sex. Slowly I am hoping to change that by becoming more transparent myself. Thanks again for posting about this event. Great article Emily! As one who falls on the side B issue of this topic I absolutely agree that it’s always beneficial to have an event which helps others see that those who are gay, particularly if they have religious convictions about it, are just like them in so many respects and it helps take away the stereotypes and prejudices many have about same sex attracted individuals. I am in the evangelical world myself and only a handful of my friends know about my ‘secret’ and that’s because too many are still unprepared or most don’t even know that some of their friends, whether single or married, experience romantic feelings toward the same sex. Slowly I am hoping to change that by becoming more transparent myself. Thanks again for posting about this event.

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