Transgender/LGBTQ advocate and a Wider Bridge Mission Trip to Israel Alumna Hannah Simpson argues that we must respect and support the homegrown activism in Israel that will no doubt prevail in securing surrogacy, adoption rights and universal marriage equality. Protestors shout slogans during a LGBT community members protest against discriminatory surrogate bill in Tel Aviv, […]
Trans queer Jewish activist Hannah Simpson is a fearless pro-Israel changemaker. She recently attended the Creating Change conference, where she was interviewed by Metro Weekly as one of 30 amazing activists who are creating change in the LGBTQ community. Metro Weekly: Why are you here [at Creating Change]? I’m here to learn from the best […]
A Wider Bridge Leadership Mission alumna Hannah Simpson joined the Red Cross as a volunteer to help accommodate coastal evacuees in Austin, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey. “Welcome home,” the rabbi gleefully offered as I arrived early to help set up for Rosh Hashanah services at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Convention Center. A mental image of the […]
Writer and transgender activist Hannah Simpson thinks that Donald Trump’s recent transgender military ban isn’t really about the army. She thinks that Trump is watching his administration crumble and must pander to his right-wing base before they jump his sinking ship. Regardless, Hannah calls American Jews to hold a clear line on inclusion, especially for […]
Being pro-Israel at LGBT events has become difficult, LGBT Jewish leaders say, and at times the opposition to Israel has spilled over into making Jews feel uncomfortable about displaying their identity. For years, Laurie Grauer had waved a rainbow flag emblazoned with a Jewish star at the Chicago Dyke March, sometimes marching near activists waving […]
LGBTQ Jews who support Israel are increasingly finding themselves caught in the crossfire between the two causes. At a time when the Jewish community is becoming increasingly inclusive of its LGBTQ members, the wider LGBTQ community may be growing less welcoming to its pro-Israel members. At the Chicago Dyke March last Saturday, three women were […]
“Sisterhood” column editor and author of “The Perils Of ‘Privilege’”, Phoebe Maltz Bovy, states that it’s not pinkwashing to *be* a queer Jew and attend a pro-Israel event, despite claims that pro-Israel organization ‘uses queer Jews.’ “Some queer Jews are Zionists,” she says. At Bustle, Hannah Simpson writes about her experiences as a Jewish Queer […]
Hannah Simpson, a young Jewish transgender woman, marched with the LGBTQ cluster at Celebrate Israel parade in New York City, and describes what it felt like, being attacked and bullied by JVP activists at the parade. Hannah also wishes that “Jewish Voice for Peace” will try to focus more on doing good for countries where […]
A new bus in New York City spreads ignorance and transphobic messages. Transgender advocate and A Wider Bridge’s Israel Mission alumna Hannah Simpson had the chance to visit this eyesore in person on Thursday, as it sat parked near the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan. Growing up, the big yellow “Magic School Bus” symbolized the wonders […]
What does a holiday of masks teach us about visibility? Transgender advocate and educator Hannah Simpson says that in a modern era of opaque government, sneaky decrees and increasing incitement threatening both my Jewish and transgender identities, the 2,500-year old Purim story of revelation and redemption feels more relevant than ever. Hannah Simpson In the […]