When You’re Queer, Finding a Mikveh Isn’t Exactly Easy

Jessica Ozar for Kveller

The first time I considered going to the mikveh was before my wedding. While this was a completely typical time to think about going to the mikveh, I was marrying a woman, not a man, and I identify as queer. I didn’t know if going to a mikveh would be right for me, or whether I would even be allowed to use it.

My partner and I studied at Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. While neither of us grew up incredibly religious, we decided separately that having a traditional Jewish home was important to us both. After we got engaged, we knew it would be useful to meet with a kallah (bride) teacher who could tell us about using the mikveh and the niddah (family purity laws) tradition that we had never heard about until coming to Israel. We were lucky to meet with a kallah teacher who had taught a religious lesbian couple before us, and we even had a chance to talk with the couple to discuss their experience with niddah and the mikveh, as a way to determine how it works for a non-heterosexual couple, and what might work for us.

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Gay marriage proposal dances into YouTube’s heart

NY lawyer surprises Israeli-American actor boyfriend with flash mob and Hebrew-inscribed ring

By Renee Ghert-Zand for The Times of Israel

A gay New York lawyer’s choreographed marriage proposal to his Israeli-American actor boyfriend has captured the heart of YouTube viewers.

With close to 600,000 hits since its posting on December 23, 2015, “Mark’s Romantic Proposal to Yuval” has clearly struck a chord.



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How Jewish Leaders Can Keep the LGBT Debate Honest

Jay Michaelson for The Jewish Daily Forward

A funny thing is happening in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the wake of one of the most dishonest civil rights debates in recent memory — Houston’s cash-soaked, lie-filled controversy over whether to expand its human rights ordinance to protect LGBT people from discrimination — the city of Jacksonville has taken a different route. They’re talking honestly about the idea, with faith leaders, business leaders and individuals all speaking their minds in public forums.

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Top Greek bishop blames ‘Zionist monster’ for gay rights bill

The Times of Israel

Seraphim of Piraeus says legislation on same-sex cohabitation is a result of ‘constant war against the true faith’

ATHENS — A leading Greek bishop has blamed the “Zionist monster” for new legislation that would give same-sex couples in Greece expanded civil rights.

Bishop Seraphim of Piraeus said the cohabitation bill is a result of the “constant war against the true faith” being waged “by the international Zionist monster,” which he said controls the Greek government.

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