Much has been written about recent events that took place at this year’s Creating Change conference, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual confab and the nation’s largest gathering of LGBTQ activists, allies and community professionals.
Normally an inspiring and galvanizing event, this year’s conference – held in Chicago in late January – was marred by controversy over a planned reception to be hosted by A Wider Bridge, an organization which works to promote ties between LGBT Americans and Israel. After having been confirmed on the conference schedule, the reception was abruptly cancelled with just days to go before the start of the conference, leaving organizers little time to find an alternative venue and to respond.
But respond they did, and so did much of the Jewish community. Indeed, one of the most encouraging parts of this story was the outpouring of support for A Wider Bridge, Jerusalem Open House (an organization whose representatives were supposed to speak at the reception but were instead ushered out a fire exit to avoid the angry protestors), and LGBT Jews and allies in attendance, from all corners of the Jewish world. The statements, op-eds, and blog posts from Jewish communal and thought leaders made clear they were not merely condemning the ugly, hateful anti-Israel protest that ultimately shut down the reception, but were also standing firmly in support of the LGBT Jewish community.
Put another way, when this group of Jews and allies were attacked, the rest of the community stepped up. And while it may seem sad that it took such an ugly, unpleasant precipitating event to generate such a powerful response, the optimist in me compels me to look at it differently. Perhaps we – LGBT Jews – have finally taken our seat at the communal table. Perhaps statements of support from across the political, ideological and religious spectrums in support of our community are to be expected now. Perhaps the efforts of so many in our community to break down social barriers and create inclusive organizations and congregations have yielded such positive results that we no longer hesitate to come to the public defense of organizations such as A Wider Bridge.
It is also my optimism and my faith in our community’s ability to respond that allows me to move on from one of the most harrowing, uncomfortable situations of my life, and to look for the proverbial silver lining. Hearing chants such as “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea,” being called a “racist, Zionist [expletive],” having to physically push through a crowd of almost 200 screaming protestors just to reach a reception that was eventually overtaken and shut down – all made for an emotionally jarring experience.
The added trauma for me came from the fact that this was supposed to be my community. This was supposed to be a safe space in which both of my identities could shine. To have had a program that was so important to me both personally and professionally devolve into a senseless shouting match – and in some cases displays of overt anti-Semitism – is painful to say the least.
It is my sincere hope that the organizers of Creating Change will take to heart their own mission and values, and their belief in “the self-determination of all people.” Creating real change will come not through a simple “learning opportunity,” but through substantive action to create a safe and supportive environment in which all viewpoints can flourish.
Meanwhile, I’ll take solace in the fact that I have a place and a voice in our Jewish community.
Jake Velleman is director of outreach for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and oversees J-Pride Milwaukee, the LGBTQ outreach and inclusion initiative of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. J-Pride Milwaukee is a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning Jewish people, their friends and allies.
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What happened in Chicago?
· Jake Velleman, director of outreach for Milwaukee Jewish Federation and manager of J-Pride Milwaukee, attended a Chicago LBGTQ conference in January.
· Controversy erupted over whether the conference should have included an event hosted by A Wider Bridge, a non-profit that seeks to build ties between U.S. and Israeli gay communities.
· Protesters streamed through the Hilton Chicago toward the event hosted by A Wider Bridge, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, pinkwashing has got to go,” according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Pinkwashing refers to alleged efforts by Israel to cover up its treatment of Palestinians by touting its record on gay rights.
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