When Inclusion Fails: The Need to Stand with LGBTQ+ Jewish Youth
- Tami Moscoe
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 23
It is almost trite to state nowadays that society should be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. By that standard, Canadian society has failed and continues to fail in many respects. This includes in relation to Jews, most recently in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. While recent events have justifiably made many Jews feel scared and vulnerable, there is a segment of our community that is particularly vulnerable right now – namely LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse Jewish youth.
Full disclosure: I come to this issue with a fair amount of experience, as a proud Jewish parent of an incredible gender-diverse young adult, and also as a lawyer who oversees a legal program that assists many vulnerable gender-diverse youth amongst others across Ontario, to successfully navigate their transitions into adulthood.
As a result, I have been horrified by the barrage of hate that has flown from both the left and the right – sometimes referred to as the horseshoe of hate – which has exacerbated the sense of isolation and vulnerability that I, along with many progressive Jewish Canadians, have felt in our new, post-October 7 reality.
Having embraced all aspects of DEI throughout my career (and recognizing that it is critical to the work that I do), it has been nothing short of a rude awakening to witness, firsthand, the reality that these laudable principles don’t seem to extend to the Jewish community.
Every week brings more blatant acts of Jew hate at home and abroad. Earlier this month, urine was hurled at Jewish groups at the Montreal Pride parade. Last week, an Orthodox Jewish man was physically attacked in Montreal in front of his young children. And two weeks ago, antisemitic graffiti was etched into a synagogue in Victoria, B.C. Deep in the heart of progressive Canada, Jews are labelled as “evil monsters” and being held personally responsible for the death of children in Gaza.
At the forefront of what I have been witnessing was the painful yet wholly unsurprising initial decision by Fierté Montréal to exclude Jewish LGBTQ+ groups from participating in Montreal's annual Pride parade. I myself have marched in Toronto’s Pride Parade with CIJA – The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs – and found it to be a very meaningful experience, even with the necessary private security (my Jewish Ima space lasers have limited powers).
When I first heard about Fierté’s decision, I naively thought – this can’t be right. Surely, they are not excluding Canadian Jews solely based on the actions of the Israeli government.
But, sadly, that is exactly what they were doing.
As Montreal Rabbi Lisa Grushcow confirmed, Canada’s oldest and largest Jewish LGBTQ+ group, Ga’ava, had been excluded from the 2025 Montreal Pride event. As her Temple’s notice to the community said, “This exclusion not only marginalizes an integral part of Quebec’s LGBTQ+ community but also betrays the very spirit of Pride, which was founded to create a safe space for those historically silenced”. The notice went on to note how this discriminatory act will be “profoundly hurtful to LGBTQ+ Jews.”
Artur Wilczynski, a retired public service executive and champion of equity, diversity and inclusion (including the fight against antisemitism), resigned from Fierté’s nomination committee because of Ga'ava's exclusion. Wilczynski poignantly explained his decision: “Despite Fierté’s statement saying that the organization and the festival is inclusive, thousands of Montreal Jews feel otherwise. The effect of the Board’s actions is to undermine principles of a diverse and inclusive festival and organization. I choose to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Jews and all members of the Jewish community who deserve to be treated with respect.” For more on his perspective, see his Ottawa Citizen article, Wilczynski: For a gay Jew, Capital Pride prompts hope and anxiety.
Fierté’s decision was later reversed after significant advocacy on the part of the Jewish community, politicians and allies. Rabbi Grushcow reported that ultimately, the event was positive. In her words, “We marched and felt a lot of support and love. I was glad to be with our community at Pride. But I’m really not sure how the people who yelled “Free Palestine” and “baby killers” at us – and yes, threw pee balloons – are helping their cause.”
While Fierté’s initial decision, like TIFF’s initial decision not to show a film about an Israeli grandfather rescuing his grandchildren on October 7th, was reversed, damage had already been done. The intentional exclusion of Jews and their allies from LGBTQ+ and progressive spaces continues and represents a disturbing trend in Canada.
It is particularly infuriating that LGBTQ+ Jews are being intentionally shut out of Queer spaces. I know from my work the importance of community to LGBTQ+ youth, especially those who do not have the support they need at home. And the research is clear that, without this support, their outcomes fall drastically.
You know that comment about how it takes a village? So, here is my ask of each of you, whether you are members of the Jewish community or not. Even if you don’t understand their personal journeys relating to sexuality and/or gender, please recognize the unique vulnerability of LGBTQ+ youth and speak out when they are faced with discrimination and exclusion.
As a proud parent, I promise you this will have an immeasurable impact. And it will help Jewish youth the next time someone decides that inclusion does not extend to them.
And after all, we are all b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God) and should be recognized and celebrated as such.
For more information about the progression of Pride in the Jewish community, check out - A timeline of Pride in Jewish history | Ottawa Jewish Bulletin. And for those who are looking for resources for children about Pride from a Jewish perspective, try Finding Jewish Values in LGBTQ Pride Month | PJ Library.
Finally, for our congregations and other Jewish institutions that are open to creating more LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces, I encourage you to reach out to Keshet for ideas and support. Being part of a truly inclusive Jewish space can make all the difference to our LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
About the Author
Tami Moscoe, is a member of ALCCA and serves on its LGBTQ+ Advisory Panel.