Beth Meyer Synagogue honors the holiness and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families — this is a safe place to be who you are. We are dually committed to being a spiritual refuge and source of healing for victims of homophobia and a champion of LGBTQ+ inclusion in North Carolina. Following guidance from the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee of Jewish Law and Standards, our rabbis officiate same-sex weddings and baby namings for same-sex couples. Transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming community members belong and are valued here. Rather than erase gender from our spaces and our practice, our shul follows an affirming and expansive approach to make room for individuals to identify, be seen, and celebrated, as they are. On February 20, 2018, our Board of Trustees enacted the following Policy on Transgender Inclusion in Worship: - Jews may adopt for themselves and their children a Hebrew name which contains their preferred gender marker (e.g., ben [son of], bat [daughter of], mibeit [of the house of], and this name will be used on official documents and when they are called to the Torah. - Congregants may choose pronouns to express their gender identity, and we will adhere to them in all settings and communications to convey respect and validation. - Though Hebrew is a gendered language, Beth Meyer Synagogue uses the term B-Mitzvah as a gender-neutral way to refer to the ceremony of Bar and Bat Mitzvah. - Signage directs visitors to non-gendered, single-occupancy restrooms in our building.