New Organization For LGBT Jews and their families offers support
When her son came out in the early 1990s, the world was a different place for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people and their families, said Rona Zukerberg of Pikesville, a Chizuk Amuno Congregation member. “It was a hard time. We had absolutely no clue where to turn. We didn’t know anything about being gay.
“You know, they say that when kids come out of the closet, parents go into the closet. By the time a kid comes out, he has known he’s gay for a long time and has had a lot of time to process it. But parents are just starting the process. It takes time.”
In those days, Zukerberg recalled, there were no Jewish organizations in Baltimore that offered programs or support for gay or lesbian people and their parents. Zukerberg and her husband sought help and became active with the local chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), a national organization founded 40 years ago.
In the 21st century, things have changed for the Zukerbergs and LGBT people and their families. Now, Zukerberg’s son and his partner, who have been together for 20 years, are married and have two young children. Even so, until six months ago, there was still no communitywide organization in Baltimore for Jewish LGBT individuals, their families and friends.
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