Are LGBTQ Jews welcome in Orthodox communities? This is how they are building spaces of their own

LGBTQ+ Jews have struggled to be accepted within their Orthodox communities. Most were raised with little knowledge of what being gay or queer meant. They grew up feeling different but found it hard to ask their rabbis: “This is who I am, is there still room for me here?” With time, some found the courage to be open about themselves. But maintaining their faith and place in an Orthodox community is challenging. Through counseling and collaboration among its members, a U.S. organization called Eshel is supporting LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews. Among them is Daniel Gammerman, whose acceptance process has taken time but has finally made him feel at ease with God and himself.