King David's Pride Party

Was King David Gay? 

Or Bi? 

Or an actual historian figure? 

And why would any of that matter in the middle of this brutal war and so many other problems that we’ve got to deal with? 

Welcome to Below the Bible Belt’s weekly video - I’m Amichai, and we’ve been queering and reading the entire Hebrew bible chapter by chapter daily and are now in the middle of the Book of Psalms, attributed to David, who’s probably not the poet responsible for this collection of poems and hymns but nevertheless is associated with them.

Today, in the middle of this epic tragedy that’s going on and rupturing the lives of Israelis and Palestinians and so many of us everywhere - it’s also pride month and there is a party going on in Jerusalem right now, quite controversial - that has to do with King David, and with his and our - favorite topics - religious politics, pride and prejudice,  dancing and sexy stuff — and it seemed appropriate to dedicate today’s vid to this royal mess.

It’s not just the sabbath queen that’s on my mind this week - it’s also that old royal, David, son of Jesse, lover of Jonathan, husband of Jonathan’s sister Michal and many other women, a guy who liked to dance, make love in many ways, and wage war and like of us led complicated lives. 

So what’s the story? 

Pride is a political movement that is not only about the liberation and justice of the LGBTQ+ community of which I’m a proud member and leader but also about all the ways in which we work for liberation and justice for all.

So it’s been tough to see how different viewpoints split the queer community apart here in the states and also in Israel. The Jerusalem Open House - the queer center of life in Jerusalem - was planning a pride event today in the Tower of David- a landmark that goes back 2000 years with ongoing construction through the ages that  has made it a fortress, palace, citadel, a church, a mosque and now a museum that celebrates the many narratives of this holy city and its histories.

Part of the PR for the event used the fact that it’s happening in the place named for David - who is celebrated as queer. The local rabbis loved this! And the mayor, and they issued an injunction to prevent the party.

The rabbis’ letter, signed by several of the prominent ultra orthodox voices, was yet again a reminder of why we must keep fighting homophobia and all forms of hatred in the so called name of God. Oh please. Enough already. 

Not to mention the municipal authorities, increasingly more religious, with little tolerance for human rights, including those of Palestinians and all other liberals and queers. But there are many who are fighting these supremacy trends and they petitioned the Supreme Court who ruled yesterday that the event must go on and it is happening, as far as I know, probably with protests - right now.

Happy pride Jerusalem! Make David proud. 

Should there be pride events while war is going on? In Jerusalem or anywhere?

Perhaps if we commit to human rights, to lives lived with more love than hate, more pride than prejudice - we wouldn’t need pride month. But now - we do - and though it is complex to have this kind of event while people mourn, while so much violences continues in the streets and on the battlefield — I hope that this event helps raise the spirits and increase the love and open people’s minds and hearts towards each other’s right to live our lives with less fear and much more optimism. 

In the chapter we just read the poet imagines the future when the wars are over, and the spirit that unites us soars above our tribal traumas and historical hurts. On that day, the poet, maybe David wrote: 

יִשְׂמַ֤ח ׀ הַר־צִיּ֗וֹן תָּ֭גֵלְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֑ה לְ֝מַ֗עַן מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃

Mount Zion will rejoice!

The daughters of Judah will dance on, 

For the sake of divine justice. 

Let it be so.  Let this war be over, pride soar, love win. 

Thank you for joining me below the Bible Belt. 

Shabbat Shalom.