January 9, 2026

Resolution in Support of the Dignity and Rights of Transgender and Other LGBTQ+ Individuals

Background

Across the United States, proposed legislation seeks to undermine the dignity and deny the fundamental rights of transgender and gender-expansive individuals. This is not a new phenomenon as recent years have demonstrated a continued sharp uptick in the amount of bills filed that seek to discriminate against queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Since 2021, according to Trans Legislation Tracker, 1,593 bills have been introduced into state legislatures, and 181 bills have passed. Since January 1, 2025, over 320 bills have already been introduced in 40 states. Two have already passed; the others are active (again, see Trans Legislation Tracker).

The Rabbinical Assembly has consistently affirmed the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals, including LGBTQ+ persons, recognizing that efforts to deny this dignity are incompatible with Jewish teachings and principles, including resolutions in 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2020. Notably, it has condemned practices aimed at forcibly altering or erasing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, often referred to as "conversion therapy." Moreover, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has clearly and definitively affirmed the dignity and lives of transgender and gender-expansive individuals in Rabbi Leonard Sharzer’s 2017 teshuvah, “Transgender Jews and Halakhah.”

The LGBTQ+ community is currently feeling more concerned about their safety and well-being in the wake of the rhetoric in President Trump's inaugural addresses and the content of some of his first Executive Orders. The tone set has raised apprehensions about the well-being and dignity of the trans- and gender-expansive communities. Indeed, the RA issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding President Trump’s rejection of any “recognition of transgender rights” and his barring transgender people from serving in the military (see Jan 20, 2025 executive order). 

Whereas k’vod hab’riyot (human dignity) is a foundational value in Judaism that calls us to treat every individual with respect, compassion, and recognition of their inherent worth; and 

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international organization of Conservative/Masorti Rabbis, affirmed in its 2016 resolution, “Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts,” its commitment to the full welcome, acceptance, and inclusion of all gender identities in Jewish life and general society; and

Whereas the RA strongly condemned a previous wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in a 2023 statement; and

Whereas attacks on the lived experience and human rights of transgender individuals–including the right to military and civil service (again, see the Jan 20, 2025 executive order)–continue; and 

Whereas proposed legislation across the country, currently about 250 bills, calls for the denial of basic human rights and dignity, including but not limited to:

Whereas such measures undermine the values of inclusion, equality, and respect for diversity that are central to Jewish ethics and the values of the broader society we seek to build; and 

Whereas the enactment of these bills would constitute an affront to the tzelem Elohim (the Image of God) of all persons directly affected and to their allies, 

Therefore, be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly reaffirms its commitment to the full dignity, inclusion, and rights of transgender and all queer individuals in all areas of public and private life; and 

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly strongly condemns legislation, policy change, court case or resolution that seeks to marginalize, harm, or shame transgender and other queer individuals; and 

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly calls upon all branches of government to publicly reject any such legislation (such as the federally proposed HR 1339) and to affirm the dignity and rights of transgender and other queer individuals to live as their authentic selves, including their access to gender-affirming care across all ages; and 

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly encourages its members to affirm, welcome, and support transgender and other queer individuals in our institutions, communities, and beyond, and advocate for policies, and take other measures, that uphold the fundamental rights and inviolable dignity of transgender and other queer individuals locally, state-wide, nationally, and beyond.

Comments

Submitted by RabbiRichmond on Mon, 02/10/2025 - 16:19

Thank you for your work on the resolutions regarding transgender individuals, as well as birthright citizenship, church and state, and Mercaz. I applaud your standing up on our behalf for important issues. I appreciate with these resolutions as well as the one on the Gaza plan your attempts to word things with the understanding that many of us work in congregations with a spectrum of political affiliations and hope that as continued resolutions seems necessary that you will continue to do your best to take a stand on issues with a minimum of vilifying opponents.

Submitted by rabbichaya@tem… on Tue, 02/11/2025 - 10:35

This is great. I would love to add an ammendment here to uphold the right to marriage. There is a fear that the current administration will come after the legality of lgbtq marriage and the many ramifications that would have--health care, end of life/emergency decisions, wills, and child custody, to name a few things.

Submitted by yonatan on Tue, 02/11/2025 - 18:23

Public restrooms need to be set side for transgender and LGBTQ.

Submitted by tamtzit on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 07:39

I think this is, on the whole, a well-worded resolution. However, I have a few questions and recommendations: 1. Why do the words "and other queer individuals" not appear in the title? 2. A term like "gender-expansive" should be defined. 3. I urge restraint/refinement in including each of the following within the list of concerns without some qualification: (a) the "ability to receive life-saving, gender affirming healthcare." Who could be against this? And yet, there's the whole issue of whether, and if so, under what circumstances, children should or should not receive certain treatments. This may be a real issue or it may be a made-up one. That's irrelevant. It's out there as an issue. Laws are being passed specifically to address this, so it shouldn't be ignored in this resolution. (This concern also applies to the use of the phrase, "across all ages" at the very end of the resolution. There needs to be some qualification attached to that phrase recognizing the tension that has long existed in American law between the rights of parents and the rights of the state regarding the upbringing of children.) (b) "the right to play sports according to their gender." Again, I've never understood how or why this became the hot-issue that it is, but that's irrelevant. It's out there as an issue. There should be a way to address the questions raised in the public square about the fairness of having what opponents of this right call "biological males" competing against "biological females"? (I haven't read Alaska HB40 or Illinois HB1216, but someone should, and address the argument(s) made there.)

Submitted by rebamy1 on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 16:19

Yishar ko'ach! I am thrilled to see the RA speaking so unequivocally about this - standing for the rabbinic principle of k'vod habriyot, now when it is so endangered.

Submitted by amwolf on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 16:26

I would be honored to be able to show a resolution like this to my trans congregants so that they know this movement, at least, will continue to be a home for them.

Submitted by drichman on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 17:04

Thank you for this resolution. Important to stand up for all our congregants -- and their rights.

Submitted by mbuckyael on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 18:46

Thank you for this work! It is incredibly important that our organization make clear and values-based statements affirming the rights and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse and gender-expansive people. This community is being singled out and viciously targeted, and it is critical that our leaders have the language to speak up for trans rights and that our congregants and members see us taking a moral position.

Submitted by adamgillman18 on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 14:30

This is so very much appreciated. As a movement and as spiritual leaders, it's critical that we take a stand against hate and bigotry. Our ongoing work of seeing each other and ourselves as Betzelem Elokim is a constant challenge, and we must continue to proclaim and uplift it.