A Trembling Identity

Diana.

The documentary, Trembling Before G-d exposes the inner thoughts and fears of a sexual minority practicing their religion of Judaism. The men and women the film interviews shares their stories of how they deal with being a homosexual and a follower of the Jewish faith.

But honestly, how does one reconcile two opposing forces like this? How does one include both aspects that make up who they are, in a coherent lifestyle? Many people from Orthodox families reject the member that is openly homosexual because it goes against what they are taught in their faith. This film shares the raw pain and conflict that has erupted in men and women’s lives.

 We are all such complicated creatures; people are a mishmash of endless characteristics, interests, desires, emotions and beliefs. The human experience is multidimensional so how can we expect people to be one or the other? Individuals take endless roles all at once; a person can be a mother, a sister, a daughter, a servant, a boss, a Jew, and a lesbian. The possibilities are infinite and individual identities are complex.

Religious beliefs don’t dictate what a person’s natural sexuality is and vice versa. Those are separate entities; however the rules of certain religions can inhibit the expression of an individual’s inner feelings. The rules that are dropped on a person can either make or break them. Some interviewees in the film kept their identity a secret where as others showed their face and spoke freely. I imagine that this is very liberating and comforting for a viewer who is going through a similar situation.

Although the men and women are under attack they become closer to their religion. This really resonates with me. The same this is evident with the individuals in the documentary A Jihad For Love. The intense conflicts they suffer through and alienation they feel, the majority of men and women still hold tight to Islam or Judaism. I think it shows a lot about them as believers and independent persons; they do not want to repress themselves any longer. Although the road is very tough, these people dispute the thousands year old tradition and they strive to make a life that includes everything that they believe in.