The lesbian, gay, bi, and trans-rights charity Stonewall has enlisted faith role models to tackle the idea that religion and sexuality are mutually exclusive. Transgender activist Surat-Shaan Knan represents Judaism: “The biggest misconception [about Judaism] is that faith and LGBT identities are at odds with each other.” Surat Shaan-Knan Organized religion and sexuality haven’t always […]
A reception was held at the London Metropolitan Archives to mark the launch of Liberal Judaism’s project on transgender and faith, Twilight People, incorporating photographs, video, audio, memorabilia and ritual objects. The LMA is hosting the collection and the reception also marked the launch of a related educational pack for schools and colleges. It is […]
Surat-Shaan Knan, project manager for Liberal Judaism, was among five people who shared their transgender experiences with mainstream British newspaper The Guardian: “We are created in the image of God. I am part of that as a trans Jew.” I didn’t really know anything about gender identity until quite late, when I was in my […]
A record 160-person strong Jewish LGBT group marched through the British capital over the weekend to mark LGBT Pride Members and friends of Keshet UK were joined by faith groups such as Imaan, which supports LGBT Muslims, Quest, the group for gay and lesbian Catholics, and Christians at Pride. Surat-Shaan Knan, who works with the […]
According to Surat-Shaan, a transgender Jewish man, visibility is not enough anymore and never was enough for some trans and gender nonconforming people of faith. Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe, while fighting transphobia and cissexism. Many in the wider Jewish community will […]
British Transgender Jewish activist Surat-Shaan Knan summarizes LGBT History Month which was marked during the Month of February. February has been busy but brilliant. In fact, February is my favourite month of the year. There are no significant Jewish festivals, I know, but there is a lot to celebrate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender […]
Surat-Shaan Knan’s concentration camp-survivor grandpa suffered alongside the pink triangle gay men. Now we are building an inclusive Judaism I grew up in the 80s on a small Mediterranean Island as the lone child of a secular and rather dispersed Jewish family of mixed ethnic heritage. I didn’t know much about being queer. I didn’t […]
Transgender Jews have moved from the twilight into the spotlight, and whether gender variance has in fact always been a theme in Judaism. The British summer may have been a wash out, but it’s certainly made me watch a lot of catch-up TV: Laverne Cox in Orange is the New Black, Caitlyn Jenner’s I am […]
UK shul hosted the launch of the Rainbow Jews exhibition, which documents and showcases Jewish-LGBT history in the UK. Sinai Reform Synagogue held a shabbat weekend, which included a service on Friday night and Saturday morning, before the display was launched. The services were led by Sinai’s assistant rabbi, Esther Hugenholtz, with Friday’s service followed by […]
Transgender rights and visiblity is the theme of this year’s Tel Aviv Pride Celebration. In a 40 Years of Pride panel, leading transgender activists from around the world discussed some of the most pressing issues facing the community. Photo by Shaily H via Twitter On the cutting edge of the fight for equality is the […]