#i just hate answering ask memes on mobile bc I get frustrated and its not worth it

[anonforlackofabettername]

@tw0-ravens sent me these numbers over a week ago and honestly this is the first time I’ve been on my computer since then and I have a thing about not answering asks on mobile despite the fact that I’m on tumblr mobile 98% of the time.

40. Are you involved with any LGBT Jewish groups?

I’m not right now, unfortunately. I was a part of my college’s pride and hillel clubs which while not the same thing had a lot of the same people and thus had a nice queer jewish vibe. I need to get involved in both queer and jewish organizations now that I’m out of college but finding the time while working 9 to 5 is exhausting and I hate putting myself out there. There are some orgs I can check out but I heard something about the people and politics and israel and honestly that sounds more exhausting than anything else.

41. Is it easier to find lgbt Jews irl or online?

Online definitely. To me everyone is queer online and everyone is queer until proven straight. This extends to my irl friends. I just assume they’re some flavor of queer even if they’re in a straight-passing relationship. My neighborhood/city has a large jewish population but I haven’t figured out where to meet other queers my age, let alone jewish queers. I’m sure once I find the queers I’ll find the jews but first I have to get off my ass and meet new people.

8. What branch of Judaism are you?

Reform. My college rabbi was reconstructionist/humanistic but I’ve always been happy with the reform movement and haven’t felt the need to change.

And you asked for any I felt like answering so I picked some at random bc why not. 

34. What has been the best part about being Jewish and lgbt?

G-d loves me and I’m perfect just the way I am. Also I can’t go to hell bc judaism doesn’t believe in it. But for real, so many people have baggage about religion and sexuality and I just don’t have it. Maybe some people in my religious community would frown on my life and my decisions but I have never doubted that G-d loved me. Even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to believe in G-d (and I’m currently agnostic so you can see how well that decision worked out for me) there was no doubt that G-d made me the way I was and that is special. If my parents love me unconditionally and G-d feels like the parent of the world, then how can he/she/they not love me?

35. What has been the hardest part of being Jewish and lgbt?

The fun intersection of homophobia and antisemitism including antisemitism coming from within the queer community. The bullshit about banning the star of david on a rainbow flag which has made the news multiple times in the last few years makes me feel really uncomfortable. I’m already exposed to a lot of the acephobic discourse that exists in the online communities I don’t need mainstream discourse too. 

11. Do you have a favorite/most comforting prayer? 

Sorta? Most of what I like is stuff that I can chant and is repetitive. I don’t have one go-to so much as a couple of go-to prayers. I really like a version of Adonai S’fatai Tiftach that my temple uses sometimes. I also think its a gorgeous prayer when said/sung the right way. I got Hineh Mah Tov stuck in my head so many times as a kid it will always have a soft spot in my heart. And honestly when I need comfort sometimes the She’ma is the perfect thing to say. And finally, there is nothing that screams home and community than the whole congregation singing “Torah (x6)/ Torah tzivah lanu moshe.” The cantor used to sing that during Simchat Torah while the Rabbi made laps around the sanctuary carrying the Torah and its an acute sensory memory. 

50. What makes you feel most connected to being a Jew?

I wear a mezuzah around my neck that I’ve had since I was around 10 years old probably. I’m picky about my jewelry and symbols but its something I feel naked without. And because its always with me its something I feel connected to. 

1. What pronouns do you use for G-d?

She/they/her/he/him/them. So like whatever I feel in the mood for basically. I try to use feminine and neutral pronouns but the default that I was taught is masculine and I will still use it from time to time. I truly believe G-d is above all this petty gender shit and doesn’t care about what pronouns we use as long as we are comfortable. 

37. What do you wish more lgbt people knew about Judaism?

We ain’t fucking Christianity and we ain’t fucking Israel. You see all that hate? All that bullshit about leviticus? Yeah that’s a bunch of bullshit. I mean no community is perfect and I’m certain there’s homophobic jews out there, but stop lumping us in with the xtians. We are two separate religions with two separate points of view. Judeo-christian is not only wrong its antisemitic because all we have in common is a couple books. That’s it. Also Israel. IIsrael does not speak for the entire jewish community worldwide and you need to stop acting like it does. The same people who get mad when people say bullshit about the middle east representing all of islam turn around and say the same thing about israel and judaism and add in some condemnation of the palestine situation as well. Its such a fucking double standard. Yes the israel-palestine situation is bad. No it doesn’t have anything to do with all jews, especially jews who have not lived or even visited israel.

20. How did you come out?

So funny story. I’ve never really felt one way or another about the gay community and possibly liking people other then men growing up (I’m a cis woman). In high school I always felt like I’d find the right person when the time was right and it didn’t matter if they were a guy or a girl. Then I got to college and decided I was ace (still am woo!) and really tried to embrace the queer community at my college. I had a couple of discussions with my mother about being gay and the answer was shrug and to change the subject to show I don’t like gay as an umbrella term (I’m not gay. To me gay is cis male homosexuals and I’m not that). So anyway my mom and I were at home, probably the summer after freshman year of college and we were both chilling on the couch on our phones. I was scrolling through tumblr and someone had a set of pictures of stickers or buttons that said “Oy Vey I’m Gay,” which I proceeded to giggle at and show my mom with the comment of “Me” which prompted us to have a talk followed by a semi-serious one with my dad the next gay. Apparently this was a new thing that neither of them had known about me. (which I suppose is valid since I did deny it to my mother’s face six months earlier). They’re both supportive, especially since my older sister is bi, I just think I caught them off guard. But that’s how I came out to my parents with a jewish meme. 

I think that’s enough for tonight. 

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