Abby Stein quotes
[Talking about gender transition) I want to say here, in clear and bold words to all humans out there who are going through similer experiences, and especially these of Ultra-Orthodox background: "You can Do It!!! It is not going to be easy, but it is way easier than not transitioning. When you start to see the changes, and feel more comfortable with your body, you wouldn't stop loving yourself."
Abby Stein
Being trans in some ways is very similar to being an atheist, in that some people don't grasp it. People that come from different backgrounds just [say], "What do you mean you don't believe in God?” They don't get you. To them [religion] is just so obvious, and I feel like I keep on having that with gender, also. Some people just have in their mind very firm ideas of gender, and they just can't get it into their head.
Abby Stein
I wanted to show that if you claim being trans is unacceptable in traditional Judaism, well, here is a community that is not just okay with accepting me as I am, but is celebrating with me, rejoicing with me. What I'm hoping is that by sharing my story, others in the same situation will realize that you can have your name changed in a synagogue. There are so many synagogues where you can't, but there are also those where you can - the Jewish Reform movement, the Conservative movement. Within Orthodoxy, there's still a long way to go. Every time something like this is done, it's one step closer to acceptance for everyone.
Abby Stein
![I say to a lot of people who struggle [with coming out] - they're always afraid how it's going to affect their family - and to me it's always family is really important, but there has to be a 'you' that can be part of a family. If there's no 'you,' [you can't] be part of the family. (Abby Stein)](https://cdn.quotesdtb.com/img/quotes_images_webp/26/abby-stein-affect-coming-319126.webp)
People exotic-ise you [trans individuals) in a weird way. They conflate sexuality and gender, which have nothing to do with each other. If you date women, it's like, ‘Oh, you like women, so you wanted to become one'. If you like guys, it's ‘Oh, you're gay, but you didn't want to be, so you transitioned'.
Abby Stein
[Blogging] helps me to get out my feelings, get out my emotions. [When I started] I was mainly writing for my own sake. It really helped me articulate what I think, to get my thoughts out. I like to get feedback sometimes-although there's a lot of hate, there's always good advice. I found it really helpful for myself. Writing always helps.
Abby Stein
Personally I also identify as a Jewish Atheist, which is that from a philosophical perspective I think that there is no reason to claim that the world has a divine creator, or divine providence. However in ways of relating to something more than surface human level, I connect to an idea of deeper understanding, a connection between all of humanity, and a universal connection with everything in existence. In my experience, the Jewish Tradition as well as the Hasidic Tradition (a mystical Jewish movement founded by my ancestor the Baal Shem Tov in the 18th century) via the Neo-Hasidic teachings, offers a lot of insight.
Abby Stein
Some religions might have at least a facade of a very anti-LGBT or very non-progressive culture so to speak -- or like you can't be religious and be whatever. I'm telling you from experience that yes you can,” ... "You might have to make it work but thankfully we live in a place and in a time when there's a lot of communities with a lot of places that you can find support.
Abby Stein
To some extent, leaving the community was even harder than transitioning. I had no idea what I was getting into. I didn't know anyone, couldn't speak the language, and didn't have an education. I didn't know how to dress. I didn't know how to talk. I remember the first time walking into a Starbucks, I was like, 'OK, what's happening here?' The culture shock is just in every level, every way. ... It's like being an immigrant in your own country.
Abby Stein
