For Immediate Release
July 26, 2017
Contact: Max Rosenblum
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
WASHINGTON -- In response to President Donald J. Trump’s announcement that transgender people will be banned from serving in the United States military, Barbara Weinstein, Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement:
We are outraged by the President’s announcement this morning banning transgender servicemembers from the military. Thousands of transgender and gender non-conforming people currently serve in the United States Armed Forces; they are committed to the defense and well-being of our nation. This discriminatory ban is an insult to their service, a rejection of their commitment to our nation, and a step backward in our country’s progress toward full equality for LGBTQ people.
Our Jewish faith is rooted in the intrinsic value of equality for all people, regardless of gender identity. We will continue to stand with our transgender and gender non-conforming service members and demand full inclusion and equality for all LGBTQ people.
###
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.
