Orthodox Ordained Rabbi, who is gay, performs Orthodox
ceremony for two men:
In 2009, the American Psychological Association (APA) urged therapists not to support reparative therapy, or, more specifically, not claim that when a person comes to them that their sexuality can and will be changed. I found this quote particularly important- “The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality.”
Rabbi’s respond this past week:
-As my readers know, I do not believe that Orthodoxy can
have a gay marriage. There are no Halachic guidelines for it set by the Rabbis
who codified Jewish law so many years ago. That being said, I respect R’
Greenberg and his right to perform a gay marriage in Orthodox tradition. I am
frustrated that these 100 Rabbis felt the need to sign a document saying that
the marriage was not Orthodox. Anyone within the community has the right to
choose for themselves how they feel about the union and ceremony. A signed
article won’t change the mind of those that perceive this wedding as Orthodox.
-----------------------
Rabbi’s attempt to denounce homosexuality in the Orthodox
community, saying the only option is for Teshuva and change. No mental health
sources were cited, only biblical.
Orthodox mental health conference, JQ Youth represented,
JONAH declines invitation:
JONAH director Arthur Goldberg acknowledges therapy conducted (without license) asking patients to take their clothes off.
- I am proud that JQ Youth, an organization I am very
involved with (link has been in the sidebar for about a year), had
representatives of being Orthodox and gay at this conference. Although for
technical reasons it wasn’t the organization that was represented, it’s
important that the community was represented.
- I have written many times about reparative therapy. I respect and admire individuals who choose to go through this process of changing their sexuality. I also respect some of the
therapy and the process, which can have some positive effects. However, I do not
respect “naked” therapy. I do not respect working on such an important issue with a “life coach”
(non-licensed therapist). I think this can be very damaging. And while I acknowledge that sexuality is fluid and the possibility of a shift from those with a tendency of homosexuality to a tendency of
heterosexuality, I know that for most individuals (like myself) who have strong homosexual feelings, the shift is not possible, and can cause severe mental health problems
as numerous studies have reported.
In 2009, the American Psychological Association (APA) urged therapists not to support reparative therapy, or, more specifically, not claim that when a person comes to them that their sexuality can and will be changed. I found this quote particularly important- “The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality.”
