‘A Space Where You Could Be Free’: Puerto Rico’s L.G.B.T. Groups Rebuild After a Hurricane

Props for NYT for covering this. Much of what’s written is true, specifically the law and government taking in consideration religious views to pass bills part. I know the author and/or whoever is behind the article will absolutely hate to read this, but as a current member of the LGBTQ+.... community in Puerto Rico AND a local, I can confirm that we do in fact need more LGBTQ+... places in Puerto Rico, but mainly safe places that AREN’T ONLY focused on drag queens/ drag shows. That’s my take on it, feel free to differ.

How can we help the LGBTQ+ community in San Juan? I want to connect with those in this community and help perhaps bring resources and fundraise. Who are the best people to be in contact with?

Reading this article gives the impression the GLBT community is nothing but drag queens and transgendered people. It sounds like the Times coverage of NYC gay life in the 1950's. Our Puerto Rican sisters and brothers deserve better.

In this article we are told that the Catholic Church and the Protestants are behind the tyranny of gays in PR. It is so strange that the myth that the Bible condemns being gay goes unquestioned. For those who aspire to be Christians it is worth reminding themselves that Jesus never mentioned the subject. Paul, who never met Jesus, hated many people including gays. The only text that Jesus followed, the Torah or Old Testament, has verses in Leviticus where we are told that a man shall not lie with another man in the manner of a man with a woman ( ie. sodomy, named after Sodom, where straight men wanted to gang rape a few men who were not gay)are often trotted out as proof that G-d hates gays. This is not true. Homosexuality is not being condemned since not only are lesbians never mentioned but also same sex attraction does not equal anal intercourse which ignorant people conflate. Furthermore, Jewish law permits anal intercourse between opposite sexes. Even well meaning clergy believe this nonsense. I am a gay man who follows a traditional Jewish path, shomer Torah and mitsvos. I spent years in a yeshivo and continue to learn Torah daily. I am married to another man with whom I have lived since 1985. I am delighted to report that when one accepts that G-d creates us according to His Will and in His Likeness and Image, life is infinitely easier than having to fit oneself into other people's opinions. Be free and look only to G-d. People will only disappoint you.

How can we help?

Thanks for this story. The world is still waking up to the reality that our human biological development has minority variances in its sexual orientation at birth. LGBTQ are part of the image and likeness of God as much as any straight person. As a leading spokesperson and author from the Jesuits on this issue, James Alison writes, they are the proverbial man born blind (gay) in John 9. Religious fundamentalists are now like the pharisees of old spreading hate - blind to the diversity of who we are created as in the image and likeness of God. All we can do is continue to work in order to protect the rights of all people and hope in future generations that hearts and minds will be opened.

Finally, an article of hope for Puerto Rico. Being gay or different in San Juan is safe, but heading into the campo (the hills, country) is risky, just like in the mainland. My sense is that the LBGTQ community in San Juan has depopulated but is still very strong, and there is much love and support from the local community, especially around UPR, the public university. Yesterday, I was in a rural area of San Lorenza at a rio (river) swimming and two women were obviously together. I gaggle of young men smirked, but there was no malice. Really, the younger internet kids want no part of homophobia, but the older macho guys have not died out yet. I think the future looks brighter for now.

This seems to promote the idea that gay friendly establishments are good only for drag shows and other gay entertainment. Seems to me that promoting any sort of business which is either gay-owned or gay friendly would be more helpful to those who are attempting to help our their fellow humans. That having been said, in reality, businesses who either cater to or are friendly to the gay community should include people of all orientations and not exclude anyone other than loud bigots.

This is such an important story. Thank you, NYT, for ushering it onto the world’s stage.

After our wedding in CT, my new husband and I spent a weekend in San Juan and found it to be friendly and welcoming. We had a terrific time and planned to return. Now that I've learned about the local government's efforts to pass laws allowing for religious discrimination against gay people, I'm realizing that it's probably not the welcoming place we thought it was.

The law in Puerto Rico prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. Yet Ms. Jackson plans to discriminate against straight people in hiring for her new establishment. That is not Pride. It is a Shame.