Gay and Lesbian Temple

This past Shabbas, my best friend and I "crashed" a temple located in West Hollywood. This particular temple was Gay/Lesbian friendly. As I sat down, I realized the multiple, similar sex couples. The reason I was there with my friend was not because of our sexual orientation, but because of a woman canter who made an appearance. I instantly felt a sense of community once I sat down with the people I came with. It didn't matter that we were a new face in the crowd (and probably not to be seen again), they warmly welcomed and greeted us. Throughout the course of the service, the canter began to explain a part of the Torah that seems very difficult for Gay and Lesbian Jews. He explained that it is written in the Torah that if man lay with man or woman lay with woman, they would be put to death. It was completely illegal. I thought to myself that it must be extremely difficult to struggle with not only yours sexual identity, but not to be accepted by a religion. I looked around and realized that these people did not care. They were proud Jews who identified with religion. The world has reshaped it's personal views today. Now, it is possible for Gay/Lesbian temples to exist.