Source: http://www.markokunbooks.com/

Blond-haired, blue-eyed Mark Okun knew from an early age that he was adopted, raised by short, European Jews. This new memoir details the exploits and struggles of a flamboyant and rebellious gay man whose good looks opened doors into a world of partying, drugs, sex, and rock and roll in the 1970s and ’80s in New York City, Fire Island and Miami. As the AIDS epidemic hits, Okun uses the values instilled by his loving parents to find strength to survive. A decision to become sober and healthy eventually leads to a reunion with his biological family at age 42 on a television show.

“A Short Jew in the Body of a Tall W.A.S.P.: A Gay Melodrama in 13 Acts” details the author’s childhood in Syracuse listening to stories from his Russian grandmother, hanging out with the hippies who begin showing up in 1967 by the university and running away at age 13 to Los Angeles. He ends up back home but hasn’t lost his rebellious ways, cutting class and working backstage to meet musicians like Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin. A haircut at an expensive salon in New York City inspires Okun to begin cutting hair at age 16. He attends beauty school full time and moves to New York City after graduation to begin his career.

Ups and downs lead to him moving back to Syracuse, and he comes out to his mother and becomes close to his father. He eventually moves back to New York, and his hairstyling career begins to take off. It takes hitting rock bottom and losing friends to AIDS several years later to lead Okun to AA and a sober lifestyle. Life begins to improve when he buys a boat and hangs out with the “Jewish navy” on Fire Island. In the wake of family tragedy, he has an unexpected encounter at an AA meeting that will change his life. A friend helps him track down his biological family, and he re-invigorates his career. This no-holds-barred memoir will resonate with anyone who has struggled or watched loved ones struggle with their role in the world and reveals the importance of love no matter what form it takes.

We will never forget one of our original Eurovision loves, Dana International‘s victory in 1998. But in this year’s contest, Finland has a song entry called “Marry Me.” A hilarious spoof video has emerged on the scene that has almost as many views as the original!

The video starts off with a man leaving his bride at the altar and quickly becomes a story about two men on the altar. Look closely and you’ll see a rainbow flag with a star of david!

And of course, if you have never seen the amazing transgender Israeli winner of the 1998 Eurovision contest, here’s a little throwback for your viewing pleasure:

Angie Miller has at times talked about her Christian upbringing as the daughter of a preacher and tinkered with the idea of releasing Christian Music. We are all the more excited to therefore learn that she is an open-minded artist who performed with potentially the queerest possible co-performers on last night’s American Idol finale.

First, in an unsurprising and much-tweeted about appearance with Adam Lambert, Angie rocked a duet on “Titanium.” We’re noticing a trend here as one of our other favorite singers, Michelle Chamuel sang the same song on rival show The Voice a couple weeks ago. Alas, Angie’s duet with Adam was on-point. Here’s the video:

And that wasn’t the end! Angie’s big eyes got even larger when her personal non-American Idol Jessie J showed up to sing as well! The sexually ambiguous Brit showed up with a shaved head and a whole lot of leg to join Angie in a rendition of her single “Domino.”

More details coming soon…

An Evening Dedicated to LGBTI Rights in Uganda

Monday, June 10th at 7pm

Hosted by Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim - 6090 West Pico Boulevard, LA, Ca 90035

Join JQ International, BCC, Kol Ami, the Horizons Foundation, and the Williams Institute of UCLA for music and stories from the musical Witness Uganda, which was just picked-up for 2014 production at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge by three-time Tony Award nominated ART artistic director, Diane Paulus.  The writers and directors of the play Griffin and Matthew will perform.  Featuring American Jewish World Service’s grantee, Julius Kaggwa, leader of the LGBTI rights movement in Uganda – who will share his own story and update us on the LGBTI rights movement in his country.

The event is free and open to all

Services begin at 6pm
Dinner begins at 7:30 pm

Reservations and Pre Payment are REQUIRED. Call 646-505-5708 or visitwww.jccmanhattan.org/lgbtq for more information.

Dinner co-sponsored by the Rodeph Sholom LGBTQ Committee and the JCC in Manhattan, partnered with JQ Youth, CBST, GLYDS, JQ International, and Eshel.

Network with the social entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow. Be part of the future of our Jewish community as co-founder and Executive Director of JQ, Asher Gellis will share JQ’s innovative programming and service offerings at Present Tense’s Launch Night.

This event is free with RSVP and includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

For more info or to sign-up click here.

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Happy PRIDE!

We have quite a few exciting things happening in May and June that are filling us with Pride!! As many celebrations are taking place across the country, we are participating in a couple of very exciting events that we hope you’ll join us for:

1. PresentTenseLA Launch Night – 5/22
2. New York Community-wide Pride Shabbat Service & Dinner – 6/7
3. Volunteer Bartenders needed for LA Pride – 6/8-9
4. Special Event: An Evening Dedicated to LGBTI Rights in Uganda – 6/10

Also, our NEW WEBSITE is filled with the latest NEWS, updates, and resources. We continue to add to this online hub on a daily basis. Here are some of our latest headlines:

1. VIDEO: Adam Lambert Accepts 2013 GLAAD Media Award from Mel B
2. Federal Marriage Equality Challenged by American Israeli Lesbian Couple
3. Jewish Lesbian Couple of “Real L Word” Fame Featured in Pro-Gay Expedia Ad

Click here to support JQ’s work by making a tax-deductible donation today.

We are also excited to announce that our recent SINGLE DE MAYO fundraiser raised over $11,000 for JQ’s important work! Read the full story here.

1. PresentTenseLA Launch Night

Network with the social entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow. Be part of the future of our Jewish community as co-founder and Executive Director of JQ, Asher Gellis will share JQ’s innovative programming and service offerings at Present Tense’s Launch Night.

This event is free with RSVP and includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

For more info or to sign-up click here.

2. New York Community LGBTQ Pride Shabbat Dinner

Services begin at 6pm
Dinner begins at 7:30 pm

Reservations and Pre Payment are REQUIRED. Call 646-505-5708 or visitwww.jccmanhattan.org/lgbtq for more information.

Dinner co-sponsored by the Rodeph Sholom LGBTQ Committee and the JCC in Manhattan, partnered with JQ Youth, CBST, GLYDS, JQ International, and Eshel.

3. Volunteer Bartenders Need for LA Pride 6/8 – 6/9

JQ believes in contributing to LA’s Pride festivities.  We are looking for a few community members that would like to volunteer on behalf of JQ at Pride to pour beverages in exchange for a community donation to JQ. That’s right, you poor drinks, and JQ gets a much-needed grant! Please email info@JQInternational.org if you are interested in volunteering.

4. Celebrating Pride & Building Movements:

An Evening Dedicated to LGBTI Rights in Uganda

Monday, June 10th at 7pm

Hosted by Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim - 6090 West Pico Boulevard, LA, Ca 90035

Join JQ, BCC, Kol Ami, the Horizons Foundation, and the Williams Institute of UCLA for music and stories from the musical Witness Uganda, which was just picked-up for 2014 production at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge by three-time Tony Award nominated ART artistic director, Diane Paulus.  The writers and directors of the play Griffin and Matthew will perform.  Featuring American Jewish World Service’s grantee, Julius Kaggwa, leader of the LGBTI rights movement in Uganda – who will share his own story and update us on the LGBTI rights movement in his country.

The event is free and open to all

JQ International is supported in part by funding by

Visit JQ online at www.JQInternational.org or ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/jqintl

Stacy Brodsky’s dedication to the Jewish community was recognized with a “Star of Essex” Award by Essex County in a special celebration On May 7th in New Jersey. Along with David Samson, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, both honorees were recognized for their “Their commitment to improving the lives of all residents, their leadership, and dedication to public service.”

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Brodsky shared:

“I want to thank the County Executive for granting me this award. I strive to give back to the community through my practice and through my service on the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. Thank you for giving me a seat at the table as a Jew and as a lesbian. I truly look forward to working with you, ‘Putting Essex County First’

Stacy L. Brodsky is an experienced chiropractor who specializes in muscle tissue therapy and related sports injuries, and serves patients who require pediatrics to geriatric care. Brodsky resides in Millburn, where she is involved in community service and is an avid sports enthusiast. She currently serves as a member of the Essex County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Advisory Board, a 13-member advisory board that was formed in December 2010 to provide a voice for this population about issues of concern to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. Dr. Brodsky has also served as a board member for Garden State Equality and was involved with the GLSEN Northern NJ, Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Board.

She earned her Doctorate Degree in Chiropractic from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic in Bridgeport, Conn., and her Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University, where she double majored in physical education and adult fitness. She is a noted lecturer and has been an Adjunct Professor of physics, health, and Critical Issues and Our Sexuality at Kean University. She also served as an Adjunct Professor of anatomy and physiology for the Special Gifted Program at Drew University.

The Essex County Jewish Heritage Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs initiated by County Executive DiVincenzo to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Essex County. Other cultural celebrations celebrate African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage, Latino Heritage and Portuguese Heritage.

Adam Lambert accepts his 2013 GLAAD Media Award

We’re right in the middle of two generations with two different perspectives but one common thread: LOVE.

Watch Adam’s full acceptance speech below:

Tzila Levy, left, and Adi Lavi, standing on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City, where they were married on Oct. 27, 2012. Photo courtesy of Immigration Equality

WASHINGTON — A same-sex Israeli couple struggling against U.S. immigration laws are set to become the faces of the fight to extend one of the foundations of immigration policy to gays and lesbians.

Adi Lavy and Tzila Levy have been caught in the bureaucratic red tape of the American immigration system since Lavy, who suffers from a kidney ailment, arrived in the United States in 2011 to seek treatment.

The couple, whose New York marriage is not recognized by the federal government, have been able to stay together during Lavy’s illness and her subsequent return to Israel to care for an ailing parent thanks only to a series of interventions by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). But an estimated 36,000 binational LGBT couples are potentially at risk of separation should one partner be forced to leave the country.
Now the Brooklyn couple’s struggle is being highlighted as part of an effort to extend residency rights commonly granted to straight couples to gays and lesbians.

“Adi fears that she and her wife could be torn apart,” said testimony submitted last month by the Immigration Equality Action Fund to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is considering a bill proposed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that would extend residency rights to the foreign-born permanent partners of U.S. citizens.

“She fears being left alone to face her chronic health issues without her primary caregiver and emotional support,” the testimony said. “Without a lasting immigration solution, this family will continue to face a life filled with uncertainty and fear.”

The fund, which is spearheading advocacy for the Uniting American Families Act, selected the couple in part because of their compelling story, said Tom Plummer, the fund’s lawyer. The fund receives more than a thousand calls a year, Plummer said, and he takes on only the dozen or so cases likeliest to “help move the issue” of same sex-family reunification.

“They’re a loving couple and they’re married and it’s also Adi’s health,” said Plummer, explaining why the couple were chosen as faces of the campaign. “They really need to stay here for her health care needs to be met.”

Lavy and Levy met in Tel Aviv in 2010 and have been a couple since early 2011. Lavy, 34, a Chicago-born photographer and dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, has suffered from kidney disease since her teen years. In December 2011, her condition worsened and she traveled to New York for treatment by a specialist.

Levy soon joined her on a tourist visa, and last October they married on New York’s Williamsburg Bridge. In their wedding photos, the women — Levy in a white bridal gown, Lavy in a black suit over a white top — can’t stop smiling. In one photo, a cyclist rolls by, oblivious.

Read Full Article
Courtesy Ron Kampeas, JTA