They used to say that being a lesbian, a homosexual, or bisexual was contradictory in EVERY major religion in the world. They, by the way, are wrong. They, whoever "They" are, are misinformed. Many people, including those of the Jewish faith have lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, and homosexual* backgrounds and still continue to hold firmly to their faith.

A large percentage of the world derives most of their religious knowledge from either the new or the old testament. Numerous individuals site a chapter in Leviticus, stating that a 'man may not lie with a man as he does with a woman or be put to death' is grounds for homosexuality to be labeled as an abomination. I however am here to tell you that thousands of gay Jews practice their religion freely for a reason that has brought them hope. Judaism, unlike many major religions is designed to fit the individual believer. For example, if you were told that you could not eat milk and meat every

"Judaism is very much, and in every way, a dynamic religion."

day, but there is now way that you could get a better alternative, you, as an individual, are able to make the choices of how religious you wish to be.

My best analogy would be to tell you the following: Judaism is like a glove, it's made to fit you. You don't conform to it's shape, it adjusts and changes to fit you. Many many years ago, women weren't allowed to practice in an equal and fair way in religious exercises. The highest rabbis saw that life was changing and so laws were changed in the like. There are certain bylaws in Jewish law that allows change for the future (just the like Constitution of the United States). Laws that will become obsolete should be made obsolete; and laws that need to be made, no matter how difficult they are to make, can and will be made because the religion fits the needs of the people. Judaism, as a whole is slowly coming to terms with the fact that we as a people are not homogeneous. There are so many types of Jews, it seems like we're everywhere (that's probably why there's a cute song called, "Wherever you go there's always someone Jewish"), and our way of life must adjust itself if we intend to call ourselves Jews.

Judaism is very much, and in every way, a dynamic religion. From it's ability to see that perhaps it's ideals are out of date, or even to the fact that it can solve basically any problem one can think of by reading it's numerous texts (some of which HAVE been written by humans who have read the Torah). A faith that is based on a text, called the Torah which means Tree of Life changes and grows to fit the needs of its people. The best part, I believe, about Judaism is that it's nonobtrusive, meaning that other religions are welcomed to coexist, because who are we as a Jewish people to tell someone else that our beliefs are better than theirs. There's humility in that, and being gay and Jewish was never as easy as I thought it was. Shalom!

*From here on, the list of terms (lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, and homosexual) shall hereforth be designated as homosexual or gay for this article.

LINKS
Marty's YR Page
Marty's Coming Out Story