NUJLS (National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students) is holding its annual conference this Shabbat (AKA right now) at Penn. So far I've managed to catch up with old friends and meet a few new ones. I am excited for the workshops, which start Saturday afternoon. It is wonderful and necessary to have an organization that empowers (I cannot believe I am using the word) Jewish queer folk to be secure in both their Jewish and their queer identities *at the same time.* NUJLS has certainly benefited my life, in everything from education to confidence, religiousness to my friends. I am glad that I, as a conference organizer, am able to help bring those benefits to other queer Jews.
Also, this year our keynote is Kate Bornstein, which is unbelievably awesome.
My only regret is that not all religions have such groups as this, and young people from those faith traditions suffer because they feel they are alone. One such young person was my beloved, and every NUJLS conference I go to, her life is on my mind (moreso than usual).
No comments:
Post a Comment