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crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity; the US Senate repealed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2010, allowing LGBTQ+ people to serve openly in the military; and in 2015 the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage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.

Contact Congress

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.

Contact Congress

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.

Contact Congress

What's New

desk with three sticky notes that say diversity, equality and inclusion

Organizational Partners in Action: How the Jewish Grandparents Network, URJ, and Keshet Partnered to Support Grandparents of Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender-expansive Youth

Along with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the Jewish Grandparents Network (JGN) and Keshet share a commitment to an inclusive Jewish community that reflects and affirms marginalized identities. We realized we could have the greatest impact towards a more inclusive community if we worked together.
lgbtq+ pride flag with heart in center

Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ Remarks on Reform LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), recently attended the 50th anniversary celebration of Beth Chayim Chadashim in Los Angeles, California, the world's first LGBTQ+ congregation. This is a excerpt taken from his remarks at the event.
Progressive Pride Flag

Reflecting on Transgender Awareness Week in 2021

Transgender Awareness Week is a chance to educate the public. It is important for people who are not part of the trans community to understand the oppression transgender and gender-expansive people face every day. While it is always important to affirm trans identities, Transgender Awareness Week provides an opportunity to center the voices of trans and gender-expansive people.

Related Press Releases

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.

VIEW URJ RESOLUTIONS View Resolutions From Our Partners

learning books

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.

What our partners are doing

Additional Resources: