In 2001, the documentary film “Trembling Before G-d” introduced the world to Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their religion with their homosexuality. As a minority group that has long felt the sting of exclusion, the film gave this population a voice. In the ten years since, that voice has grown stronger. Numerous movies have been made and books written on the subject and more young Orthodox Jews have come out of the closet. Yeshiva University even hosted a panel discussion (attended by over 800 YU students) featuring gay Orthodox Jews discussing their homosexuality. Does this mean the Orthodox community is ready to accept and welcome gay Jews? Probably not. But writing in Slate, Steven Weiss suggests that young Orthodox Jews “are very much willing to rock the boat on gay inclusion.”

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