Pride Shabbat focuses on understanding transgender youth

One June 17, Temple Habonim will celebrate its fifth annual LGBTQ Pride Shabbat, and welcome Roz and Richard Keith and their son Hunter to the congregation, They will share the story of Hunter’s transition from female to male and how the Keith family has supported their son and brother during the transition.

When he was 14 years old, Hunter came to his mom, Roz, and revealed that he is transgender. Roz said “We knew for a long time that Hunter was struggling. We just never guessed that he was at odds with his gender identity.” 

The Keiths, cousins of longtime Temple Habonim members Vicki and Cliff Karten, will answer questions about what it means to be transgender and how to love and support a child when you may not understand what he is going through.

The whole family, especially Roz, has become involved in advocacy work for transgender education and awareness. They want to educate and provide transgender youth with the tools they need to be empowered, supported and validated as they transition.

Services begin at 7:30. The temple is at 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. For more information, 401-245-6536.