Harel began matching lesbians and gay men six years ago, he said, because he recognized a "deep distress" among people "facing a dead end road."
More recently, Kamoha, a religious gay group, began receiving inquiries from gay men and lesbian women about this approach. Kamoha linked up with Harel and last month began publicizing the initiative on its Web site.
Harel says he has wed 12 couples, and several have had children. More than 80 people expressed interest in the matchmaking service when it was publicized by word-of-mouth, and since it went online two weeks ago, Harel says he has received dozens of emails.
"Rabbi Harel introduced us and there was a good initial click," wrote Sari and Avi, a couple Harel set up, in a testimonial on Kamoha's site. "It's not love. It's chemistry, a sense of understanding and partnership, trust and appreciation."
Harel was unable to persuade the couples he has already wed to speak to the media. But Kamoha referred The Associated Press to a man who has applied for Harel's services, a 35-year-old Orthodox Jew in the closet.
He has had casual sex with men but desperately wants to raise a family. He said he has dated numerous straight women; none of the relationships led to marriage.
Very interesting. We have always been told by the press, gay groups etc., that 'gayness' is not a choice...it's something they are born with. I was always allright with that but now....now that this rabbi has been able to pair up 'gay' males and females to produce children...this throws the whole gay 'milieu' into question ! A gay man with a woman was always compared to 'how would 2 straight men feel 'together' '. The fact that this 'insurmountable preference' has in fact been breached, will now cause me to reconsider my positions on the subject. Good post ! Very provocative !
Ah yes, but I've told you that it is a choice and explained on the basis of biology why one would only rarely be "born gay."
Now this rabbi comes along and demonstrates, accidentally, that it's a behavioral choice.
I'm not convinced. I said I'd re-evaluate. Certainly, if what we've been told about 'gayness' is even remotely true, these circumstances are extraordinary to say the least....to mate in a manner that is repugnant to both parties....yes, remarkable.
Oh boy just wait till Hockey Puke gets on this one. He'll set you all straight (no pun intended).
Yes...with his vast intellect and experience.
I'm wondering if, in this rabbi's story, we are seeing a cultural ability to overcome 'being gay', which may or may not be confined to Israel or Judaism ? At any rate, bully for them !
I'm not convinced. I said I'd re-evaluate. Certainly, if what we've been told about 'gayness' is even remotely true, these circumstances are extraordinary to say the least....to mate in a manner that is repugnant to both parties....yes, remarkable.
Berg--of all the people posting here, I'd have guessed you would be one of the last to fall for the "born that way" debacle. It's not hard to figure out--look around. There are tons of "gays" that were formerly in normal relationships and have children, who later "discovered" (decided) they were "gay". There's a certain department at a hospital not too far from me that's notorious because of the number of women working there who have left their husbands for other women. My son goes to school with several kids who's parents (one, the other, or both) decided to go the other way AFTER having kids.
I personally believe the AMA had it right to begin with--it's a form of mental illness that should be treated, not a natural occurance that should be accepted. It's no more natural than someone wanting to be with young children or animals or inanimate objects.
Chad
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
Berg--of all the people posting here, I'd have guessed you would be one of the last to fall for the "born that way" debacle. It's not hard to figure out--look around. There are tons of "gays" that were formerly in normal relationships and have children, who later "discovered" (decided) they were "gay". There's a certain department at a hospital not too far from me that's notorious because of the number of women working there who have left their husbands for other women. My son goes to school with several kids who's parents (one, the other, or both) decided to go the other way AFTER having kids.
I personally believe the AMA had it right to begin with--it's a form of mental illness that should be treated, not a natural occurance that should be accepted. It's no more natural than someone wanting to be with young children or animals or inanimate objects.
Chad
at this point, I have no clue. I assume it's not a choice and it's something genetic or something because I really can't picture myself gettin up one morning, going to work, and deciding to hoover the guy from the mail room. Regardless of whether they choose, are selected, are mentally ill....whatever....I oppose their agenda as one of deviance.
...at this point, I have no clue. I assume it's not a choice and it's something genetic or something...
I think that for a very few it's not a choice of who or what they are attracted to, but a mental and/or genetic defect--a VERY small percentage. Pretty much the same amount that are uncontrollably attracted to animals or small children.
However, for the huge majority it is definately a choice. If it wasn't a choice, they couldn't switch back and forth at will, some going both ways at the same time, etc.
Even for the ones that have a defect, they choose to act upon their derilect feelings. One may like tatoos, but they have to choose to get one--the tat doesn't just jump into their skin, no matter how much they like the idea of getting one.
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
There are tons of "gays" that were formerly in normal relationships and have children, who later "discovered" (decided) they were "gay".
Exactly.
i know several guys who fell in love, got married, sired kids and then turned gay. For some reason they all "came out" after age 40. One of those guys is a decorated retired Navy commander and a flaming twinkie.
A study of the sexual orientation of offspring from gay-lesbian matches in about 30 years would be interesting.
Rabbi Pairs Gays With Lesbians
