Hashem and Homosexuality

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The Jewish Press just published a poignant (and sad) letter from an Orthodox Jewish man about his struggles with homosexuality. His main point: Though he fully believes that homosexuality is prohibited, he disagrees with those who claim that gay men can be converted to heterosexuality.

Believe me I understand fully how much any frum [Orthodox] man with homosexual desires wants the hope of a “normal frum life” with a wife and children. And I understand first hand the enormous pain of having to accept that sometimes Hashem [God] says no. But I would rather live my life honest with myself and the situation Hashem placed me in than risk building another world of lies – and devastating another woman.

I don’t know if you will publish this – especially because I’ve essentially advocated a life of loneliness and celibacy for men with homosexual tendencies. At the same time I want to make it clear that I am not advocating an acceptance of a gay lifestyle on any level by the frum community, nor suggesting any “wiggle room” when it comes to a lav [prohibition] in the Torah.

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