Trans woman denied access to Western Wall in Jerusalem
A trans woman was denied access to both the woman’s and the men’s section of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Kay Long, a dress designer, was trying to access the women’s section of the Western Wall, the only remaining section of the Temple, considered to be holiest site for Jewish people. Worshippers place pieces of papers with their prayers on into the wall, believing God will answer them sooner.
An Orthodox woman who was patrolling the site refused to allow her access, saying she is “not a woman”. She was also then denied access to the men’s section.
In a facebook post, she said: “All that’s left now is to take a picture and say a prayer from afar with the hope that it will be answered. Because God is everywhere and loves us all.”
Ms Long later said she did not intend to revisit the wall, saying she thought Orthodox worshippers right to pray was more important.
“The point is, I decided to respect humans wherever they choose to be, and they didn’t respect me.”
Israel has some of the most progressive LGBT policies in the Middle East, but many trans people still face discrimination.
