LGBTQ

The history of Reform Judaism’s support of LGBTQ Equality

As early as 1965, the Women of Reform Judaism, an affiliate of the UAHC (now Union for Reform Judaism, or URJ), called for the decriminalization of homosexuality. In 1977 the Central Conference of American Rabbis passed a resolution that called for “legislation which decriminalizes homosexual acts between consenting adults, and prohibits discrimination against them as persons.” They further resolved to “undertake programs in cooperation with the total Jewish community to implement the above stand.” 

Similarly, the URJ passed a resolution in 1977 stating that “homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection under the law” and affirming their opposition to “discriminating against homosexuals in areas of opportunity, including employment and housing.” In the decades following the adoption of these two resolutions, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis have passed over a dozen resolutions on this subject, covering a range of issues from same-sex marriage to the inclusion of LGBTQ Jews in Jewish life.  

In addition, the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint instrumentality of the URJ and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, passed a resolution in 2003, as did the Women of Reform Judaism in 2003, on the inclusion and acceptance of the transgender and bisexual communities. The Commission also passed an additional resolution in 2015 on the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Today, the web pages of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism state: “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.” 

LGBTQ individuals will continue to find a range of experiences in Reform communities. The vast majority, including Temple Israel, are fully welcoming, inclusive and affirming, while many others are committed to becoming so. The majority of congregations include explicit policies on nondiscrimination regarding sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to membership and family life. 

Reform Judaism is welcoming of transgender people, allows for the ordination of transgender rabbis and encourages its communities to become fully inclusive of transgender individuals. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, which advocates for the Movement’s social justice and legislative priorities in Washington, D.C., advocates for the full inclusion and equality of transgender individuals under the law. Reform Movements camps and the Reform Movement youth group, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), have taken steps over the past decade to become more inclusive of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. In 2015, the Union for Reform Judaism adopted a historic resolution on the Rights of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People affirming “the full equality, inclusion and acceptance of people of all gender identities and gender expressions.” 

On Marriage Equality 

In 1996 and 1997, the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the URJ, respectively, adopted resolutions in support of civil marriage for same-sex couples. In 2000, the Central Conference of American Rabbis gave its full support to Reform rabbis who choose to officiate same-sex marriages. The resolution recognizes, “that the relationship of a Jewish, same gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual,” but also acknowledges, “the diversity of opinions within our ranks on this issue.” The Conference thus gives its support to both those “who choose to officiate at rituals of union for same-gender couples” and to “those who do not.” 

On Ordination 

LGBTQ rabbis and cantors are ordained in the Reform Movement, and are accepted as students at Reform seminaries. The history of inclusion dates to 1990, when the Central Conference of American Rabbis endorsed a report on “Homosexuality and the Rabbinate,” that included the authors’ urging that, “all rabbis, regardless of sexual orientation, be accorded the opportunity to fulfill the sacred vocation that they have chosen.” Women have been ordained in the Reform Movement since 1972, and resolutions calling for their ordination date to 1922. 

On Employment 

The Reform Movement firmly supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which offers protections for LGBTQ workers. That spirit of support stretches back to 1977, when the Union of American Hebrew Congregations—now the Union for Reform Judaism—resolved that “homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection under the law,” and noted their opposition to “discrimination against homosexuals in areas of opportunity, including employment and housing.” In recent years, the Religious Action Center has led the mobilization of the faith community in support of ENDA. 

[adapted from HRC.org]