New Poll: LGBTQ+ Jews Forced Out Of Queer Spaces
A Wider Bridge (archive.ph)
By A Wider Bridge and Eshel
2025-05-05
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2025) – As we head into Pride Month (June) and national and local Pride celebrations, Eshel and A Wider Bridge today released a new study on the prevalence of antisemitism amongst LGBTQ+ Jews over the past two years with highly alarming results. According to those surveyed, LGBTQ+ Jews have been ostracized from online and in-person queer spaces significantly more than their non-Jewish peers.
The study, titled “Antisemitism Amplified: a report on LGBTQ+ Jews and antisemitism after October 7th” (archive.org), found that LGBTQ+ Jews feel as though they are being pushed out of once safe Queer spaces, such as LGBTQ+ community centers, bars, and clubs, and are leaning on online and in-person Jewish spaces for support.
Since October 7, 2023, antisemitic attacks in the U.S. have surged over 360%. Not only are Jews experiencing antisemitism at unprecedented rates, but those rates go up even higher among LGBTQ+ Jews (see details below).
According to this study, LGBTQ+ Jews who wear identifiable Jewish symbols have a 25% greater chance of experiencing antisemitic harassment than their cisgender peers. Not only are LGBTQ+ Jews facing this discrimination in public, but they’re enduring these attacks in what were once their safe spaces.
“Many LGBTQ+ Jews feel pushed out from once-safe exclusive LGBTQ+ communities, and as a result, they are strengthening their bonds with other LGBTQ+ Jews,” said Miryam Kabakov, Eshel’s co-founder and Executive Director. “But what about Orthodox or observant LGBTQ+ Jews? Where do they go for comfort and community? While our community has made progress, we still have further to go to become truly welcoming for LGBTQ+ Jews.”
Key findings from the report include:
“The LGBTQ+ community prides itself on equality, acceptance, and inclusion. Unfortunately, this study exposes the deep roots of antisemitism and just how far it can reach,” said Rabbi Denise Eger, Interim Executive Director of A Wider Bridge. “As we head into Pride Month, a time that is supposed to represent acceptance and inclusivity, all communities including the Jewish LGBTQ+ community must be safe and we must be able to fully embrace and express our identities without fear of harassment or expulsion from our communities.”
Eshel also released a 2024 Parent Survey (archive.org), which revealed that Orthodox respondents who are seeking refuge in Jewish spaces will likely encounter obstacles. According to this survey, 44% of Orthodox parents reported that their child felt either “some discrimination,” “significant discrimination,” or “very significant discrimination” from their synagogue.
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About Eshel
Co-founded in 2010 by Miryam Kabakov and Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Eshel’s mission is to build LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities. It envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people and their families are full participants in the Orthodox community of their choice.
About A Wider Bridge
A Wider Bridge is an organization focused on building a strong relationship between LGBTQ communities in North America and Israel. We advance LGBTQ inclusion in Israel through Impact Grants to LGBTQ-focused Israeli organizations. We advocate for justice, counter LGBTQ hate, and fight antisemitism and other forms of hatred. We are proudly queer, proudly Zionist, and proudly diverse in bringing together Jews and non-Jews, LGBTQ folks, and allies.
A Wider Bridge (archive.ph)
By A Wider Bridge and Eshel
2025-05-05
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2025) – As we head into Pride Month (June) and national and local Pride celebrations, Eshel and A Wider Bridge today released a new study on the prevalence of antisemitism amongst LGBTQ+ Jews over the past two years with highly alarming results. According to those surveyed, LGBTQ+ Jews have been ostracized from online and in-person queer spaces significantly more than their non-Jewish peers.
The study, titled “Antisemitism Amplified: a report on LGBTQ+ Jews and antisemitism after October 7th” (archive.org), found that LGBTQ+ Jews feel as though they are being pushed out of once safe Queer spaces, such as LGBTQ+ community centers, bars, and clubs, and are leaning on online and in-person Jewish spaces for support.
Since October 7, 2023, antisemitic attacks in the U.S. have surged over 360%. Not only are Jews experiencing antisemitism at unprecedented rates, but those rates go up even higher among LGBTQ+ Jews (see details below).
According to this study, LGBTQ+ Jews who wear identifiable Jewish symbols have a 25% greater chance of experiencing antisemitic harassment than their cisgender peers. Not only are LGBTQ+ Jews facing this discrimination in public, but they’re enduring these attacks in what were once their safe spaces.
“Many LGBTQ+ Jews feel pushed out from once-safe exclusive LGBTQ+ communities, and as a result, they are strengthening their bonds with other LGBTQ+ Jews,” said Miryam Kabakov, Eshel’s co-founder and Executive Director. “But what about Orthodox or observant LGBTQ+ Jews? Where do they go for comfort and community? While our community has made progress, we still have further to go to become truly welcoming for LGBTQ+ Jews.”
Key findings from the report include:
- 82% of LGBTQ+ Jews were either “kicked out, “blocked,” “experienced verbal harassment,” “or made to feel uncomfortable” when they participated in online queer spaces.
- 42% of respondents reported the same thing in-person.
- 43% of LGBTQ+ Jews have disengaged from LGBTQ+ spaces online, while 41% have disengaged from in-person spaces.
- LGBTQ+ Jews who wear identifiable Jewish symbols every day, frequently or sometimes, were significantly more likely (67%) to have experienced antisemitism, including verbal harassment and exclusion.
- Compared to the AJC’s survey of the general Jewish population, who only 42% felt “somewhat” or “very unsafe” wearing these same symbols in public.
- As a result of this harassment, almost half (43%) of respondents indicated now frequenting in-person Jewish spaces, and 38% in online Jewish platforms and chat groups.
“The LGBTQ+ community prides itself on equality, acceptance, and inclusion. Unfortunately, this study exposes the deep roots of antisemitism and just how far it can reach,” said Rabbi Denise Eger, Interim Executive Director of A Wider Bridge. “As we head into Pride Month, a time that is supposed to represent acceptance and inclusivity, all communities including the Jewish LGBTQ+ community must be safe and we must be able to fully embrace and express our identities without fear of harassment or expulsion from our communities.”
Eshel also released a 2024 Parent Survey (archive.org), which revealed that Orthodox respondents who are seeking refuge in Jewish spaces will likely encounter obstacles. According to this survey, 44% of Orthodox parents reported that their child felt either “some discrimination,” “significant discrimination,” or “very significant discrimination” from their synagogue.
###
About Eshel
Co-founded in 2010 by Miryam Kabakov and Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Eshel’s mission is to build LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities. It envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people and their families are full participants in the Orthodox community of their choice.
About A Wider Bridge
A Wider Bridge is an organization focused on building a strong relationship between LGBTQ communities in North America and Israel. We advance LGBTQ inclusion in Israel through Impact Grants to LGBTQ-focused Israeli organizations. We advocate for justice, counter LGBTQ hate, and fight antisemitism and other forms of hatred. We are proudly queer, proudly Zionist, and proudly diverse in bringing together Jews and non-Jews, LGBTQ folks, and allies.
