Chani Getter

Chani Getter was born into a Haredi Jewish family affiliated with the Nikolsburg-Monsey Hasidic community, and was legally married off by their family at the age of seventeen.^[1] Getter had three children over the next five years, before coming out as gay, a story that was covered in the documentary film devOUT^[2] and also featured in a PBS documentary television show, Religious & Ethics Newsweekly.^[3] They later left their husband with their children, which resulted in divorce. Getter then became a part of the Jewish Renewal movement, and maintained their Orthodox observances for some time.^[4][5] They have been critical of the insular nature of Hasidic communities in New York City.^[6]

Getter was previously the program director at Footsteps, which aids former Haredi Jewish people enter mainstream society,^[7][8] including those exiting to follow their natural sexual preferences.^[9] Their work as a life coach and counselor was featured in the documentary film One of Us. They have also facilitated an LGBTQ women's support group for Keshet.^[10][11][12]