Gays support rabbi after controversial statement

Rabbi Shay Piron receives unexpected support from organizations within LGBT community after previously claiming that 'homosexuality can be fixed'

Tzvika Brot|Published: 11.08.12 , 00:14

Rabbi Shay Piron, second on Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid list, recently suffered harsh criticism over his past statement that "homosexuality can be fixed." But on Wednesday, he received unexpected support from representatives of the LGBT community.

Piron and Lapid both clarified on numerous occasions that Piron's view of the subject has changed over the years. The rabbi had also paid a visit to the Bar-Noar gay youth center following the shooting that took place there three years ago.

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Hevruta, Bat Kol and Shabal, three organizations aiding religious gays and lesbians, issued a statement which they hope will set the record straight about Piron.

"We are witnessing major changes over the last decade in the way society treats homosexuals and lesbians… Rabbi Piron has become one of the greatest leaders of this change," the statement said.

It was further noted that "not only has Rabbi Piron apologized for his previous statement, he has also been extremely helpful with various issues concerning the religious lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community."

Daniel Yunes, head of the Hevruta organization said: "This isn't about making a political statement, but about stating the truth and acknowledging the rabbi's efforts for our community… we wish more religious leaders would be willing to openly support Rabbi Piron's actions and promote equality in Israel."