Growing up in an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community, Sara Glass was used to following strict rules — including what to wear, when to get married and whom to love. “I had strong feelings that I really should be with a woman and not with a man,” she told our host, Anna Martin. “But I wanted to do what God said was right.” Sara married her first husband at age 19. After two marriages to men, and years of working as a psychologist who strove to create a safe space for her clients, Sara was done hiding that she was gay. Today, Sara shares her experience of leaving the Hasidic community and finally embracing her true self. Modern Love is back for the new year! Look out for new episodes on Wednesday afternoons.
Anna Martin: When Sara Glass walked into the studio,
I had to say something about her outfit.
Anna Martin: I'm noticing you're wearing some very fabulous black leather pants.
Sara Glass: These are my power pants.
This is like when I have something important to do that day.
It's like, these are the black leather pants.
Anna Martin: Would you have worn something like this —
I don't know — 15 years ago?
Sara Glass: Oh, no, even five years ago,
or maybe five years ago, I would have worn these in the city,
but not back on Long Island.
Anna Martin: Sara grew up in an ultra Orthodox Jewish community.
For most of her life, she wore skirts and dresses, never pants —
and definitely not leather ones.
Because there are strict rules
about what Orthodox women can and can't wear.
And Sara followed all of them.
Sara Glass: I was wearing a wig over my hair.
So it was a long blonde wig.
And I wore skirts.