Check out CBST's 2011 Pride photos!
CBST member Wylie Tene wrote about his experiences celebrating Pride with CBST. Read his thoughts and check out pictures from our Pride events below.
What a weekend!
Starting on Friday night Congregation Beit Simchat Torah welcomed in Shabbat and Pride weekend with a spiritual, uplifting, and truly electrifying Shabbat service with special guest speaker, activist, and actress Cynthia Nixon. The evening was also filled with tension and anticipation as everyone hoped that New York State would vote on and pass marriage equality. We were also told the exciting breaking news that CBST had closed on our new location, our new home.
As Cynthia spoke and shared some words of Torah, you could not help to think about what was happening up in Albany. One quote stuck out to me: “We are here, We are queer, We vote, We donate, We network…ignore us at your peril,” said Cynthia. Moments later we heard the news that state senators were indeed going to vote on marriage equality; they were not going to ignore us. Immediately following services, scores of CBST members marched down to the crowds gathered outside of the famous Stonewall Inn, just in time as the votes came down in favor of equality. I could not have thought of a better place to be on that historic night – in front of the Stonewall with our CBST family dancing and singing and celebrating.
On Saturday, CBST members had their Pride picnic at Pier 46 where children played and fished in the Hudson. The weather was perfect and elation was still in the air from the news the night before. Then on Sunday, around 400 CBST members and supporters partied, paraded, danced, and marched proudly down 5th Avenue towards Christopher St in the Heritage of Pride Parade. DJ John Vee pumped up the jams mixing today’s top dance hits and Jewish folk music.
What a weekend indeed. Together with our families and friends, CBST celebrated a historic Pride weekend. With the passage of marriage equality and closing on our new home, we were proud.
Click here to view pictures of Family and Friends Shabbat with Gilbert Baker.
Clik here to view pictures of Pride Shabbat with Cynthia Nixon.
