In the autumn of 2001 a small group of Jewish college students came together with a common personal and isolating challenge: Being gay in Orthodox families and communities. We were looking for other people in similar situations that could understand and relate to each other’s struggles. Together, we wanted to find answers for ourselves, each other, and for the greater Orthodox Jewish communities. Although each of us had different approaches to the issue, the feeling of coming together was liberating, inspiring, and therapeutic. What began as an informal meeting formed the building blocks of the community that JQYouth would become.
The group decided to create an email list-serve where we could discuss our ideas and challenges online as well as provide a space for those who wanted to discuss their struggles anonymously. A social list serve was also created, enabling friendships to develop through regular informal events. Our email lists grew steadily as people found out that there was finally a community for Jewish GLBT youth from Orthodox backgrounds.
Eventually a few group members thought that it would be a good idea to start having regular get-togethers to discuss issues related to being frum and gay. We began scheduling monthly meetings at coffee shops and restaurants, until our numbers made it hard for us to find any space. Encouraged by these developments, we moved our get-togethers to the JCC in Manhattan, where we've been meeting since 2003. The meetings are centered on a discussion, speaker, movie, or panel, which are moderated by JQYouth members or guest speakers. They often conclude with socializing to give people a chance to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and get to realize how many people share our circumstances.
Today, JQYouth strives to promote understanding and support for young gay Jewish women and men in whatever circumstances they find themselves or whatever path they choose. Working together with common goals, we respond to each other’s needs and interests. Because there were so few places for frum gay people to turn, JQYouth continues to grow to this very day. Currently we have over 300 members worldwide!
Aside from our monthly meetings and online discussion forum, other JQYouth events have included:
- Yearly holiday programming including; Shabbat meals, Chanukkah and Sukkot parties, Megilla readings, special gatherings over Shavuot, and “Open Beis Medrash” learning events.
- JQYouth members have taken the initiative to speak about their personal experiences dealing with Homosexuality and Orthodoxy at college campuses, shuls, and various Rabbinic consultations (We have presented panels at Yeshiva University, Yeshiva Chovevei Torah, Columbia, NYU, Penn Hillel and more).
- Social events such as movie screenings, day trips, boat rides, and other fun and inspiring get-togethers throughout the city in an informal social atmosphere.
- JQYouth also places importance on working closely with other Gay, Jewish organizations that share our goals.
Since its inception, JQYouth has provided friendship, support, and community to countless individuals. As we all know, for every 2 Jews you get 3 opinions, and JQY is no different! Our members come from a variety of backgrounds, and ultimately, each member will forge their own paths and futures. Growing up frum and gay is hard enough but doing it alone makes it even harder; JQYouth is here so that finally, you don’t have to!
WHO WE ARE NOT
JQYouth is not an agenda-oriented organization.
- JQYouth prides itself on creating a space for individuals who share similar experiences while choosing different paths in life and religious expression. Our members have many different views on homosexuality and religion, but all are welcome to share their perspectives and experiences with the group.
- We do not promote a way of life or belief system, we simply try to provide support to people while they are on their journey to coming to their own beliefs and life choice
JQYouth is not a religious organization
- JQYouth is a social and support group for LGBT individuals who come from orthodox families, are currently orthodox, or have strong ties to traditional religious Judaism. We try not to engage in religious activities and when we do have religious-based events, we try to make it welcoming to individuals of all denominations.
- JQYouth believes that your level of orthodoxy is your personal decision and none of our members are expected to be on any specific level of religious observance
JQYouth is not a bureaucratic organization
- JQYouth acts as an organic community of members who each contribute as much as they like. The more that people volunteer to do, the more the group benefits as a whole.
- JQYouth responds to our member’s needs and interests. Our goals have been built out of our own personal experiences, and what we as a community feel we could have used growing up in the orthodox world.