Melbourne, Australia - GLBT Jews not convinced
In an historic meeting last week talks took place between Jewish community leaders and Jewish members of the LGBT community.
Members of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) met with GLBT members of the Jewish community last Thursday to discuss inclusion, acceptance and visibility of GLBT Jews in the JCCV.
However, Michael Barnett coordinator from social and support group for GLBT Jews, Aleph Melbourne, told MCV the discussion became volatile.
“I found it a very hostile event, the president and the immediate past president both attacked me personally in front of about ten other people,” Barnett said, “they mocked and laughed at me when I made suggestions about how we can move forward and when I questioned some of their views and attitudes. I found it was very confrontational and wasn’t very civil.”
Barnett said he suspects the talks were prompted by recent negative media reports on the JCCV’s attitudes towards homosexuality.
“There could be some pressure to appear to be engaging with us in some dialogue without actually genuinely wanting to do it, possibly from some funding sources. I feel they are not really being genuine in wanting to talk to us.”