Religion and gay rights collide over children’s book

Concerned not to offend Orthodox Jews, distributor makes holiday book touching on LGBT issues only available by request.

Battle over Purim children’s book with two dads

The line between respecting diverse religious beliefs and violating the rights and dignity of gays and lesbians is at the center of a debate between gay advocates and the PJ Library over a children’s picture book featuring a family with two fathers.

Jewish Groups Discuss Same-­Sex Marriage

Over 50 people attended a panel discussion on March 2 that explored the process and experience of same- sex weddings and marriages in the Jewish tradition.

Gender Schmear: Jewish Gays’ Purim Party

On March 13, Keshet, an advocacy and networking group for LGBT Jews, will host a wildly fun party in celebration of Purim, an annual Jewish festival.

Religious freedom vs. gay rights: The picture-book edition

Where is the line between respecting diverse religious beliefs and violating the rights and dignity of gays and lesbians?

From A Lesbian Mother, A Letter To PJ Library: This Hurts

I wanted to share with you my disappointment that you've chosen not to send the book The Purim Superhero to all your members, but only to families who specifically request it.

A Different Kind Of Wedding

When Mindy Dickler’s son, Elie, revealed to her two-and-a-half years ago that he was gay, she felt totally alone. Today, Dickler and others in the Baltimore community are working to make sure that parents and families of LGBT Jews never feel alone again.

A Purim Message for the PJ Library

As a Jewish mother, I read with interest a recent blog post explaining the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s decision to make “The Purim Superhero” – a story about a boy, Nate, who has two dads – available only to PJ Library families who request it, but not to all of its subscribers.

Purim book for children creates a stir, Wins contest for its LGBT theme

Children dressed as superheroes, queens, and football players ate pastries and listened to the story of Purim at Boston Children’s Museum on Sunday.

Fred Phelps’ Death: “Don’t Celebrate,” say some

PJ Library Offers Book With Gay Parents, But Only Upon Request

Naomi Marmorstein loves reading the free Jewish books she gets from PJ Library to her 1-year-old son Jonah, whom she adopted last January. Her only complaint: the characters don’t reflect her non-traditional “mom-kid” family, as she describes it.

Jewish groups to talk marriage

The Keshet Parent & Family Connection (KPFC) and JQ Baltimore will partner on March 2 to present a panel discussion exploring the process and experience of same-sex weddings and marriages in the Jewish tradition.

Jewish Book Project Offers Free Purim Picture Book with Gay Dads

One of the more delightful recent picture books featuring a child with LGBT parents is Elisabeth Kushner’s The Purim Superhero, about a child with gay dads celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Idit Klein, Founder of Keshet

Idit Klein has been an activist for equality and social justice for the past 20 years. Since 2001, she has served as Executive Director of Keshet.

Coming out at Tufts University

Life in the closet is a play, and it’s up to you when the curtains close.

Turning My Passion Into Activism: One Student’s Story of LGBT Activism

I grew up in a liberal household where my parents told me to be what I wanted and to not change for anyone. I was a gay rights activist by the time I was 4 years old, talking openly with anyone who would listen about the passage of Massachusetts’ marriage equality law.

Keshet and Hillel Partner Up

More and more Hillels are engaged in active collaborations with campus LGBTQ centers, have LGBTQ-inclusive policies and programming, and even support Jewish LGBTQ student groups.

For Edgar Bronfman, Humanity to LGBT People Was Intuitive

I was there to tell Edgar how much it meant to me to have learned just six months earlier that in the early 1970s, as CEO of Seagram, he had stood up for a gay employee.

A kaddish for the victims of anti-transgender violence

Transgender Day of Remembrance was marked by a growing number of Jewish communities, including the ADL.

A journey of many paths: Stories of LGBT religious lives in Colorado

LGBT people come from every faith, but share an effort to reconcile belief with who they are.