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Pride 2024: LGBTQ+ Advocacy this June and Beyond
Every June we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a sense of pride that's not just acceptable, but essential.
LGBTQ+ Equality
The Reform Movement has been advocating for LGBTQ+ rights since 1965, when the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) called for the decriminalization of homosexuality. Since then, substantial progress has been made in pursuit of LGBTQ+ equality: the 2009 passage of the Matthew Shepard Act expanded US Federal Hate Crime Law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity; the US Senate repealed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2010, allowing LGBTQ+ people to serve openly in the military; and in 2015 the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal across all 50 states in Obergefell v. Hodges. Despite these gains, gaps in US federal nondiscrimination law omit the LGBTQ+ community from protection against discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and others. We must continue to advocate until the LGBTQ+ community is treated with full equality and dignity in society and under law.
Why Should Jews Care
We are guided by a central belief that all human beings are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image. As it says in Genesis 1:27: “And God created humans in God’s own image, in the image of God, God created them.” Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, said in an interview with Fox News, "As it says in Genesis, all humans were created in the image of God. And that means that every person, every soul, is a creature of God that looks like God, whether they are transgender or lesbian or gay, and so we welcome all of them." Each of us, created in God’s image, has a unique talent, with which we can contribute to the high moral purpose of tikkun olam, the repair of our world. Excluding anyone from our community lessens our chance of achieving this goal of a more perfect world.
Take Action
Tell Congress: Prohibit Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
Currently, federal law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, federal funding, education, credit, and jury selection based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
Tell your State Legislators: Stop Attacks on LGBTQ+ People
In 2024, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures, while governors, state agencies, and local elected officials implemented a range of policies targeting transgender and non-binary people. Tell your governor and state legislators to protect the LGBTQ+ community through legislation, ballot initiatives, and more.
Tell Congress: Prevent Bullying, Improve School Safety for Marginalized Students
More than 10 million students will be bullied in the U.S. in a given year, and 83% of LGBTQ+ students report they've been bullied or assaulted at school. Congress must act to strengthen school bullying prevention policies, ensuring that students have the protections they need.
What's New
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What’s Next for LGBTQ+ Equality After 303 Creative?
In June, the Supreme Court released a decision in 303 Creative, Inc. v. Elenis expanding the right of businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.
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Fighting for LGBTQ+ Equality this Pride Month and Beyond
While it is important to celebrate and show up for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, our support should not be limited to just one month of the year.
Related Press Releases
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Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Anti-Transgender Executive Orders
In response to President Trump’s series of executive orders targeting the transgender community, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement.
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100+ U.S. Jewish Organizations Send Letter to Congress Opposing Anti-Transgender Sports Ban
On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Keshet, and 100 additional Jewish organizations, the following letter was shared with members of Congress in opposition to H.R. 28/S. 9, an anti-transgender sports ban.
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Reform Jewish Leader Urges Speaker Johnson to Stop Attack on Transgender Individuals
Rabbi Jonah Pesner sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) urging him to reverse his newly announced policy targeting transgender and non-binary people.
RAC Email Sign Up
Learn more about the RAC's key issues and get involved by signing up for the legislative updates newsletter.
Reform Judaism's Resolutions on LGBTQ+ Equality
Learn more about the position of the Reform Movement on these key issues, and read the formal resolutions by URJ and CCAR.
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Engage Your Congregation
Get Involved
Get involved with the URJ’s work in Communities of Belonging to access toolkits and more.
Partner
Partner with a local LGBTQ+ organization to establish your congregation as an ally.
Train
Dedicate time to discussions and sensitivity trainings related to gender identity and transgender inclusion.
Affirm
Publicly affirm support for the transgender and gender non-conforming communities from the bimah or in a newsletter.
Contact our Legislative Assistants
For more information on this issue, contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Mason Purdy.