The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has delighted itself in setting up a reference group to look into issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in the Jewish Community. It was first announced here by the JCCV on December 24 2009.
The question has been asked of me who is on this reference group. Indeed, a good question. I understand this is the current make-up of the group
- John Searle
JCCV President
Heterosexual (married / parent)
Orthodox Jewish - Anton Block
Immediate past JCCV president
Heterosexual (married / parent)
Orthodox Jewish - Dr Ruth Kweitel
Registered psychologist (area of specialty is gambling)
Heterosexual (married / parent)
Jewish (likely orthodox) - Daniel Leighton
Formerly with Jewish care
Heterosexual (married / parent)
Jewish - Sally Goldner
Transgender rights activist
Representing GLBT community (person 1 of 3)
Jewish background - Nathan Rose
Representing GLBT community (person 2 of 3)
Jewish - <Person 7>
Representing GLBT community (person 3 of 3)
Jewish
Pretty much all the people are either with or sympathetic to the JCCV. The JCCV reps are both orthodox. There are no representatives from the sizable Progressive Jewish community. There appear to be no professionals on the reference group with a background in mental health or depression relating to sexual orientation or gender identity. Lots of Yes people. No surprises.
As the make-up of this reference group becomes clearer I’ll post further updates. Stay tuned.
30/04/2012: As of October 31 2011 when the JCCV released their GLBT Reference Group report into vilification and discrimination, it was apparent that Julie Leder and Doron Abramovici were also on the reference group.