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It’s a Mitzvah to Take Action for LGBTQ+ rights

Tell your representatives that as a Jew, you expect them to protect the LGBTQ+ community.

June 1, 2022

By Jon Cohen, Director of Community Mobilization

Throughout the country, anti-LGBTQ+ politicians are advancing new anti-trans and anti-LGBQ+ policies. The basic rights and dignity of trans and LGBQ+ children, adults, and families are at risk – whether they can safely attend school, access health care, play sports, use a bathroom, and live their daily lives. The federal Equality Act would end all these anti-LGBTQ+ policies – but it’s stuck in the Senate. While the Equality Act sits in the Senate, state legislators are proposing hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and it is important for us to make our voices heard at every level of government.

As Jews, we know how it feels to be treated as outsiders.

It is imperative that we call on ourselves and our communities to act for a world where we honor what is holy and unique in every person and treat others as they would like to be treated.

Here’s how you can protect trans youth and advance LGBTQ+ equality.

1. Call your federal and state legislators – all of them – and ask them to defend and protect LGBTQ+ people.

You can look up all your local, state, and federal representatives in one place here. Call each office and urge your legislator to get off the sidelines:

“Hello, my name is [First and Last Name] and I am a constituent living in [City].

I am calling to urge [Name of Representative or Senator] to support the entire LGBTQ+ community. I expect my representatives/senators to represent me and take positive action to protect trans youth and advance LGBTQ+ equality in every way your office can.

It’s not enough to just vote the right way. My Jewish tradition teaches me to treat other people as they would like to be treated – with dignity and respect – and not to sit idly by, as if there is nothing I can do, when people who are just living their lives are being attacked and hurt.

I expect your office to take action to protect all LGBTQ+ people in our community. Thank you for your time.”

2. Bring Keshet’s Community Mobilization team to your community!

We will customize an online program for your community about LGBTQ+ rights in your state and how you can make change. Email us at [email protected].

3. Keep learning.

Right-wing politicians exploit many people’s lack of familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community, especially around gender. Read recent press and stay informed. Start with these two pieces by Keshet staff, “It’s a Mitzvah! Take Action for LGBTQ+ Rights” and “Taking Action for LGBTQ+ Rights As A Jewish Teen”.

4. Support Keshet and get involved!

Click here to donate to Keshet, and sign up for our email list.

5. Tell the LGBTQ+ youth in your family and community that you love them and will never stop fighting for them!

Check out this support and resource list for LGBTQ+ teens and allies.

Download this resource as a PDF.

As Jews, we know what it feels like to be treated as outsiders. When we retell our ancient story of being enslaved by Pharaoh and think of the many injustices that persist today, we call on ourselves and our communities to act for a world where no one is oppressed.

Jewish tradition teaches us to honor every single person. But today, some politicians in our country are pushing laws that target LGBTQ+ people and our families in order to whip up fear and secure power.

The politicians pushing these laws are denying all of us the basic rights, resources, and respect everyone deserves. They are working in opposition to what their constituents want and believe.

Most Americans support LGBTQ+ equality. 79% of Americans believe it should be illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in jobs, housing, and other public roles and spaces, including 89% of Democrats, 82% of Independents, 65% of Republicans, 69% of people who identify as “religious,” and 85% of Jews (PRRI, 2022).

Jewish voices matter. Today, a small but vocal group of right-wing Christians claim that their “religious freedom” means legalizing discrimination and restricting the freedoms of LGBTQ+ folks, Jewish people, and everyone who does not follow their narrow beliefs. But the overwhelming majority of American Jews believe in honoring what is holy and unique in every person, and treating others as we would like to be treated. When we speak out for LGBTQ+ equality as Jews, we change the narrative that “religious” means anti-LGBTQ+.

Our elected officials should be working for an America where everyone has the freedom to be our full selves, pursue our dreams, and have a decent life — no exceptions. Are your representatives sitting on the sidelines, or worse, targeting LGBTQ+ people? YOU can contact your local, state, and federal representatives and urge them to step up and fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

We invite you and your Jewish community or organization to take action with Keshet:

Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity. Stay connected by joining our email list and following us on social media.