The Construction and Enactment of Queer and Jewish Identity

Beth Prentiss

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hernandez, Sarah

Keywords

Jewish, Queer, Gay, Identity, Jews

Area of Concentration

Sociology

Abstract

This study explores how LGBTQI individuals describe and enact Jewish and queer identity, and addresses several changing characteristics of LGBTQI Jewish organizations. Out of twelve interviewees, the majority focused on the relationship between Jewishness and sexuality primarily when there arose a need to confront any seeming incompatibility of those aspects of identity, or when their existence as LGBTQI Jews was disregarded. Most did not articulate a distinctly queer Jewish identity, and several drew few connections between their sexuality and their Jewishness. While several older interviewees noted a decline in membership in LGBTQI synagogues, the majority of interviewees expressed a desire for at least occasional distinctly LGBTQI Jewish space, despite attempts in many mainstream Jewish communities to welcome queer people. Yet as LGBTQI people gain more acceptance, some functions of LGBTQI synagogues become less essential, particularly their role as a "safe space" and a meeting place for romantic partners. Finally, as the needs of many LGBTQI Jews change, there seems to be corresponding attitudinal shifts regarding how those needs be met and by whom.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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