I don’t think the gay community will disappear, per se, but I do think a great deal of the gay community was spawned in reaction to discrimination, oppression, fear of violence, etc… As social and political equality continues, there will be less need for gay-specific places. Which is a good thing, and pretty much the whole point of our “agenda” as it were.

The orthodoxy is becoming more tolerant. Chasidism is not, but the issue is being expressed loudly and publicly for the first time in these communities. “Trembling Before G-d” was only the tip of the iceberg – only the start.

Now I do recognize that this is a genuine issue of concern. It truly does continue to be of vital importance that gay Jewish kids growing up in non-supportive families have models to look to.

I view this similar to Afro-Centric organizations. Inclusive, rather than segregationist, but not to the extent that they subvert their unique identities.

Whether someone is heterosexual or homosexual sexuality is, admittedly, just one strand in a life in which our lives have more similarities than dissimilarities among people. Yet, this does not require denying the dissimilarities or pretending to not notice or express the dissimilarities.

I think it is wonderful that straight families want to join gay synagogues.