World of GLBT Jews Convenes at UCLA
he 20th World Conference of GLBT Jews, Aug. 13-15, was planned without the much-publicized Proposition 8 overturn in mind, but the fact that it took place alongside the turning of tides in California’s gay marriage law reflected increasing acceptance of the GLBT community.
“The timing is just wonderful, because we’re doing it on an up,” said Howard Solomon, president of the World Congress of GLBT Jews - though the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals continued the stay on the ruling and temporarily upheld Prop. 8 two days after Solomon spoke on Aug. 16, changing the picture for now.
Rabbi Denise Eger, spiritual leader of West Hollywood’s Congregation Kol Ami, shared Solomon’s enthusiasm. “There are people here from all over,” Eger said, which “speaks to the diversity of the GLBT Jewish world.”