Anybody from AU knows that our homonymic nickname is “Gay Jew,” given the University’s large population, and administration and student support of, both the LGBT and Jewish communities on campus. But this weekend at American University in Washington, D.C., the campus got a dose of both in one when the National Union for LGBT Jewish Students came to campus to hold their 15th annual conference, “Advocating Our Identities.” Like a match made in heaven.
Students gathered in spiritual centers, academic buildings and residence halls to talk about the challenges of living the life on the margin of two communities: one based on sexual identity, the other on religion. Speakers, mostly gay rights activists and Jewish leaders, from the across the District gave lectures and held workshops for students from across the country. Among some of those notable speakers were Hillel International President Wayne Firestone, American University President Neil Kerwin, Standing on the Side of Love’s Campaign Manager Dan Furmansky and many more representatives from organizations such as The Human Rights Campaign, The Aguda, A Wider Bridge and more.
Check back with New Voices soon to get the full scoop on this weekend-long conference.
