May is LGBTQA month here at DePaul University.  It can sometimes seem that religion has little positive to say regarding LGBTQA issues, but my University Ministry colleagues and I would beg to differ. I’m going to offer a Jewish perspective and then share some resources from the Abrahamic traditions we hope will add a different perspective. Please share your own links on the topic if you feel moved to do so.

There is an old saying; “Two Jews, Three opinions”.  Just as with every topic within Judaism, different Jews have different views towards LGBTQ issues. In Judaism, we are given the law. The mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah are given to the Jewish people by G-d and are there for us to follow. There are laws regarding kashrute (kosher/food), laws relating to prayer and ritual, laws regarding how much of your income to tithe and, yes –  laws regarding male homosexuality.

However, interpretation of laws is extremely important in Judaism. There has been text after text for thousands of years, throughout the span of Jewish history, going over the commandments in the Torah.  Regulations and precepts are interpreted time and time again, helping us decipher how to live out these holy commandments in modern lives.

While there are laws regulating homosexual activity in the ancient Israelite community (most likely due to concerns for population growth), many Jews now focus on laws and concepts much more relevant to society today — such as social action, ecological concerns, interfaith relations while continually acting on time-honored Jewish values. Values like redeeming the captive, visiting the sick, honoring parents and teachers and keeping the day of rest.

Judaism is about choices. Choosing what laws and what interpretation of those laws to follow helps Jews decide how to live their lives. Judaism, while providing guidelines, gives few hard and fast rules about how to live one’s life. As Rabbi Hillel stated regarding Torah; “That which is hateful to you, do not do to any person, all the rest [of Torah] is commentary, now go and learn it”.  With that being said, here are a few articles regarding different Jewish views on LGBTQ :

Here is a link to an overview of stances of different movements within Judaism.
This article from Tikkun Magazine concerns a Chicago Congregation comprised mostly of gay, straight, and bisexual Jews.
Finally, this post is about changes toward LGBTQ issues in the Conservative Jewish movement.

And if you think it’s tough to track down thoughtful contributions from the Muslim community that would be appropriate to LGBTQ month, check out some of these pieces:

The article ” Coming Out Twice: Sexuality and Gender in Islam”  features an interview with the author of “Homosexuality in Islam” and includes how gay Muslims have to face both homophobia and Islamaphobia.
This article focuses on “Quranic Values as an Inspiration for Gay Marriage”
If you’re looking site with Muslim LGBTQ resources including several Muslim blogs, head here.

There are many resources around positive messages around  Christianity, gender and homosexuality but here are a couple to get started:
For an alternate take on the “bibical view” of homosexuality, check out “The Best Case for the Bible Not Condemning Homosexuality
And being at a Catholic school it might be useful to know that there are a variety of stances on LGBTQ issues within the Catholic church and that even when a denomination or tradition is perceived as being condemning of homosexuality, its adherents‘ views may differ greatly from the headlines.

Have a great LGBTQ month brought to you by our friends in the Office of LGBTQA Student Services.

Matthew Charnay is Coordinator of Jewish Life with DePaul University Ministry