Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

The struggle for LGBT equality is at the forefront of the civil rights movement. We see discrimination that is either condoned or approved by local and federal government on a range of topics from employment to marriage and immigration to adoption. Thankfully, we are beginning to see progress made, but there is still much work to be done.
Publications and resources on LGBT equality.
Learn about important Supreme Court cases and concerns affecting the LGBT community.
Learn about the important issues of LGBT rights in marriage equality, immigration, and adoption.
Visit the Hate Crimes issue page to learn about the RAC's efforts to combat bias-motivated crimes.
Learn about important legislation to end employment discrimination against the LGBT community.
Jewish Values on LGBT rights and the perspective of the URJ and the CCAR on rights, inclusion, outreach, marriage, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Press Releases
Article Hate Crimes Bill Would Give Nation “The Ability to Respond” 06/25/09
Article Reform Jewish Movement Calls for Greater Steps Toward Equality 06/17/09
Article Saperstein Calls for Immigration Reform that Keeps Families Together 06/04/09
Article Reform Jewish Movement Saddened by California Prop 8 Decision 05/26/09
Article Letter to Gov. Paterson: Grant Marriage Equality in New York 05/11/09
Article Reform Movement Renews Call to Repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” Supports Reinstatement of Arabic Translator 05/08/09
Article House Passage of Hate Crimes Bill Vital Step Forward for Civil Rights 04/29/09
Article Coalition Urges House Passage of Hate Crimes Bill 04/23/09
Article Vermont Passage of Same-Sex Marriage a Welcome Victory 04/07/09
Article Reform Movement Hails Advances for Marriage Equality 04/03/09
Article Obama’s Signing of UN Statement a Win for LGBT Equality 03/23/09
Article Saperstein’s Letter to Obama Addresses an Era of Great Challenge and Opportunity 01/26/09
Article Reform Jewish Movement Joins Amicus Brief Challenging Proposition 8 01/13/09
Article UN Vote Calls Attention to US Absence from Global Fight for Gay Rights 12/19/08
Article Circuit Court Decision a Step Toward Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Jewish Leader Says 12/10/08
Article Outcomes of State Ballot Initiatives Prove Both Troubling, Celebratory to Reform Jews 11/06/08
Article Marriage Equality puts Connecticut at Vanguard of Civil Rights 10/10/08
Article Reform Jewish Movement Welcomes New York's Steps Toward Marriage Equality 05/30/08
Article Justice for California Gay Community in Today's Ruling 05/15/08
Article Reform Jewish Leader Calls on House to Pass Transgender Inclusive Non-Discrimination Act 10/30/07
Article Reform Jewish Movement Commends NYS Assembly Vote to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage 06/21/07
Article Reform Jewish Movement Joins in Launch of ‘Clergy Against Hate’ 06/05/07
Article Reform Jewish Movement Praises House Passage of Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act 05/04/07
Article Reform Jewish Leader Hails New Jersey Supreme Court Case Requiring Equal Rights for Same Sex Couples 10/25/06
Article Reform Jewish Leader Blasts Family Research Council’s Statement on Homosexuality and Child Molestation 10/04/06
Article Reform Jewish Leader Praises House Defeat of Federal Marriage Amendment 07/18/06
Article Reform Jewish Leader Responds to New York Court of Appeals Ruling on Same Sex Marriage 07/06/06
Article Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Senate Defeat of Discriminatory Marriage Amendment 06/07/06
Article Reform Jewish Leader Reacts to President’s Endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment; Calls on Senate to “Overwhelmingly Reject” Amendment 06/06/06
Article Reform Jewish Movement Urges Senate to Oppose Federal Marriage Amendment 05/19/06
Article The Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism Applauds the Leadership of Texas Reform Movement in the Fight Against the Legalization of Bigotry 11/14/05
Article Reform Jewish Movement Responds to Yesterday’s Gay Rights Ballot Questions in Texas and Maine 11/09/05
Article Reform Jewish Movement Applauds California Assembly Ruling on Same Sex Marriage 09/07/05
Article Reform Jewish Leader Applauds Introduction of Legislation Extending Equal Immigration Rights To Same-Sex Couples 06/21/05
Article Reform Jewish Movement Voices Disappointment at the Confirmation of Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor 06/09/05
Article Reform Jewish Leader Applauds Re-Introduction of Hate Crimes Measure, Urges Swift Passage 05/26/05
Article Reform Jewish Leader Applauds New York Ruling That Declares Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional 02/04/05
Article Reform Jewish Movement Condemns CBS and NBC for their Refusal to Air the United Church of Christ’s Commercial 12/03/04
Article Reform Jewish Movement Urges Members of Congress to Vote Against the Federal Marriage Amendment 09/28/04
Article Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Reverend Jimmy Swaggart’s Comments Concerning Gay Americans 09/23/04
Article Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Senate Defeat of Discriminatory Marriage Amendment 07/14/04
Article More Than 1,000 Clergy Will Send Letter to Senators Urging ‘No’ Vote on Marriage Amendment 07/13/04
Article Reform Jewish Leader Blasts New York Officials for Arresting Clergy for Performing a Religious Act 03/15/04
Article Statement of Rabbi Michael Namath, Program Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, at a Press Conference Concerning the Federal Marriage Amendment 03/03/04
Article Statement of Mark Pelavin, Associate Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, on the Reintroduction of the Permanent Partner Immigration Act 02/14/01
Article Nation's Largest Jewish Organization Disappointed by Supreme Court Sanction of Boy Scout's Discrimination 06/28/00
Article Saperstein Speaks Out Against Hate Crimes at the Millennium March on Washington for Equality 05/01/00
Article Reform Jewish Movement Commends Vermont Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Couples, Calls on Vermont Governor and Legislature to Extend Full Civil Rights to Gays and Lesbians 12/21/99
Article Nation's Largest Jewish Organization Lauds New Jersey Court Decision Banning Discrimination by Boy Scouts of America 08/05/99
Article Statement of Rabbi David Saperstein Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism on the Introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 06/24/99
Article Reform Jewish Leader Urges Prompt Consideration of Hormel Nomination 02/12/99
Article Reform Movement Condemns Anti-Gay Rhetoric 10/15/98
Article Statement of Rabbi Marc Israel, Director of Congregational Relations, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Calling for Tolerance and Respect for Gays and Lesbians Within the Jewish Community 08/12/98
Article Statement of Rabbi Marc Israel, Director of Congregational Relations, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Response to the Religious Right's Anti-Gay Media Campaign 07/15/98
Article Statement Of Mark Pelavin Associate Director, Religious Action Center Of Reform Judaism On The Decision Of The Circuit Court Of Hawaii To Recognize Same-Sex Marriages 12/03/96
Article Reform Jewish Movement Lauds Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Colorado Anti-Gay Legislation 05/20/96
Article Reform Rabbi Calls Anti-Gay Initiative Unconstitutional And Immoral 05/15/96

 

Upcoming Conferences and Events

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Washington, DC
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Consultation on Conscience
April 19-21, 2009

 

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