In Parshat Emor, we learn about Sukkot—a time when we’re commanded to dwell in temporary shelters and remember the fragility of our journey. A sukkah might not look like much from the outside—just branches and walls—but it represents protection, belonging, and community.

For LGBTQ+ folks, the idea of a “safe space” isn’t just symbolic. It’s essential. Many of us have had to seek out (or build) our own places of safety where we can exist fully and authentically.

The sukkah teaches us that safety isn’t about grand structures or permanent walls—it’s about intention, care, and shared values. Even something temporary can hold sacredness when it’s built with love and inclusion.

At JQY, we create those kinds of spaces—not just for a week, but all year round.