Courage and Pride

Today marks a momentous occasion. Fifty-five years ago today, the Stonewall riots ignited the LGBTQ+ liberation movement in the United States, reverberating around the world. This day, once known as Remembrance Day, now stands as a symbol of pride and resilience. At the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, the police raided a bar, inadvertently sparking a revolutionary response.

An incredible transformation has taken place in just 55 years. As Jews, we understand the duality of time; it can feel like both an instant and an eternity. The progress we’ve made in recognizing the equal dignity and beauty of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, parents and children, neighbors and fellow human beings is nothing less than astounding. The leaders of this movement, the pioneers, chose to transform a day of violence and pain into a movement of pride. They wanted the world to remember not just the struggle, but the triumph of love and humanity.

This week’s Torah portion, Shlach, resonates deeply with this theme. The spies who ventured into the land of Israel were not there to inform God, who already knew the land, but to prepare the people for the challenges ahead — militarily, emotionally, and spiritually. However, ten of the spies allowed fear to cloud their vision, spreading doubt and uncertainty among the people.

In contrast, Caleb and Joshua stood firm, calming the community and inspiring them with courage. He declared, “We shall rise… we shall overcome (Num. 13:30),” a phrase that resonates with the essence of both ancient and modern struggles for liberation. This declaration is not just a statement of hope but a call to action.

As we commemorate the 55th anniversary of Stonewall and celebrate Pride Month, we must remember the courage it takes to stand up against fear and oppression. The leaders of the LGBTQ+ movement, much like Caleb and Joshua, believed in a hopeful and inclusive future. They acted with courage, expanding circles of love and human dignity, channeling the teaching of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: that our faith calls us to take a leap of action, not just belief.

Stonewall, often described as a riot or rebellion, has become a source of pride, a transformative message that transcends categories and calls us to recognize the inherent dignity in every human being, each and every one a sparkling image of the Divine.

Caleb’s courage, his steadfast belief in the possibilities of the future, is a powerful reminder for us today. It teaches us that in the face of fear and uncertainty, we must rise and act. We must ensure that no one walks alone, that every person feels supported and loved. This is the essence of Pride and the sacred imperative to be courageous.

We are called to channel this spirit ourselves, to stand firm in our belief in our capacity to build a better future. Let us cultivate so much love that it transforms the world, moving it closer to the way it always should have been.

With all the love in our hearts, let us send this love where it is needed — to our families, neighbors, and especially to children who deserve affirmation for being who they are. Let us tell them, today and always, how loved they are. Let us send our hearts to those still in darkness, giving them courage and reminding them that they are not alone.

Together, we rise. Together, we build a world of love, acceptance, and dignity.

Shabbat Shalom.