Religious Action Center - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Equal Rights

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Background

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.

For More Information...

Publications and resources on LGBT equality.

Historic Cases

Learn about important Supreme Court cases and concerns affecting the LGBT community.

Legislate Summary: Family Issues

Learn about the important issues of LGBT rights in marriage equality, immigration, and adoption.

Legislate Summary: Hate Crimes

Visit the Hate Crimes issue page to learn about the RAC's efforts to combat bias-motivated crimes.

Legislate Summary: Workplace Discrimination

Learn about important legislation to end employment discrimination against the LGBT community.

Reform Movement Perspective

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

Hate Crimes Bill Would Give Nation “The Ability to Respond”	06/25/09
Reform Jewish Movement Calls for Greater Steps Toward Equality	06/17/09
Saperstein Calls for Immigration Reform that Keeps Families Together	06/04/09
Reform Jewish Movement Saddened by California Prop 8 Decision	05/26/09
Letter to Gov. Paterson: Grant Marriage Equality in New York	05/11/09
Reform Movement Renews Call to Repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” Supports Reinstatement of Arabic Translator	05/08/09
House Passage of Hate Crimes Bill Vital Step Forward for Civil Rights	04/29/09
Coalition Urges House Passage of Hate Crimes Bill	04/23/09
Vermont Passage of Same-Sex Marriage a Welcome Victory	04/07/09
Reform Movement Hails Advances for Marriage Equality	04/03/09
Obama’s Signing of UN Statement a Win for LGBT Equality	03/23/09
Saperstein’s Letter to Obama Addresses an Era of Great Challenge and Opportunity	01/26/09
Reform Jewish Movement Joins Amicus Brief Challenging Proposition 8	01/13/09
UN Vote Calls Attention to US Absence from Global Fight for Gay Rights	12/19/08
Circuit Court Decision a Step Toward Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Jewish Leader Says	12/10/08
Outcomes of State Ballot Initiatives Prove Both Troubling, Celebratory to Reform Jews	11/06/08
Marriage Equality puts Connecticut at Vanguard of Civil Rights	10/10/08
Reform Jewish Movement Welcomes New York's Steps Toward Marriage Equality	05/30/08
Justice for California Gay Community in Today's Ruling	05/15/08
Reform Jewish Leader Calls on House to Pass Transgender Inclusive Non-Discrimination Act	10/30/07
Reform Jewish Movement Commends NYS Assembly Vote to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage	06/21/07
Reform Jewish Movement Joins in Launch of ‘Clergy Against Hate’	06/05/07
Reform Jewish Movement Praises House Passage of Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act	05/04/07
Reform Jewish Leader Hails New Jersey Supreme Court Case Requiring Equal Rights for Same Sex Couples	10/25/06
Reform Jewish Leader Blasts Family Research Council’s Statement on Homosexuality and Child Molestation	10/04/06
Reform Jewish Leader Praises House Defeat of Federal Marriage Amendment	07/18/06
Reform Jewish Leader Responds to New York Court of Appeals Ruling on Same Sex Marriage	07/06/06
Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Senate Defeat of Discriminatory Marriage Amendment	06/07/06
Reform Jewish Leader Reacts to President’s Endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment; Calls on Senate to “Overwhelmingly Reject” Amendment	06/06/06
Reform Jewish Movement Urges Senate to Oppose Federal Marriage Amendment	05/19/06
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
Reform Jewish Movement Responds to Yesterday’s Gay Rights Ballot Questions in Texas and Maine	11/09/05
Reform Jewish Movement Applauds California Assembly Ruling on Same Sex Marriage	09/07/05
Reform Jewish Leader Applauds Introduction of Legislation Extending Equal Immigration Rights To Same-Sex Couples	06/21/05
Reform Jewish Movement Voices Disappointment at the Confirmation of Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor	06/09/05
Reform Jewish Leader Applauds Re-Introduction of Hate Crimes Measure, Urges Swift Passage	05/26/05
Reform Jewish Leader Applauds New York Ruling That Declares Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional	02/04/05
Reform Jewish Movement Condemns CBS and NBC for their Refusal to Air the United Church of Christ’s Commercial	12/03/04
Reform Jewish Movement Urges Members of Congress to Vote Against the Federal Marriage Amendment	09/28/04
Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Reverend Jimmy Swaggart’s Comments Concerning Gay Americans	09/23/04
Reform Jewish Movement Applauds Senate Defeat of Discriminatory Marriage Amendment	07/14/04
More Than 1,000 Clergy Will Send Letter to Senators Urging ‘No’ Vote on Marriage Amendment	07/13/04
Reform Jewish Leader Blasts New York Officials for Arresting Clergy for Performing a Religious Act	03/15/04
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
Statement of Mark Pelavin, Associate Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, on the Reintroduction of the Permanent Partner Immigration Act	02/14/01
Nation's Largest Jewish Organization Disappointed by Supreme Court Sanction of Boy Scout's Discrimination	06/28/00
Saperstein Speaks Out Against Hate Crimes at the Millennium March on Washington for Equality	05/01/00
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
Nation's Largest Jewish Organization Lauds New Jersey Court Decision Banning Discrimination by Boy Scouts of America	08/05/99
Statement of Rabbi David Saperstein Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism on the Introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act	06/24/99
Reform Jewish Leader Urges Prompt Consideration of Hormel Nomination	02/12/99
Reform Movement Condemns Anti-Gay Rhetoric	10/15/98
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
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
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
Reform Jewish Movement Lauds Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Colorado Anti-Gay Legislation	05/20/96
Reform Rabbi Calls Anti-Gay Initiative Unconstitutional And Immoral	05/15/96

For More Information

To learn more, contact RAC Legislative Assistant Jason Fenster or visit the following websites:

Last Updated April 4, 2006

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