Topic > Transgender Rights in Judaism

In this decade, more and more people identify as transgender, which has led to changes in all aspects of life. There are ongoing debates by the government, trans activists, and individuals about gender-neutral terminology, gender-neutral pronouns, and educating the public on these issues. Judaism has also initiated debates, in order to better address and provide for the community regarding this problem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Conservative and reformist movements have been the most supportive of trans rights, ranging from the acceptance of transgender people to the public defense of their rights. What is truly surprising is that even the most Orthodox movements are starting to talk about the place of trans Jews in an Orthodox society. The three main branches of Judaism fall into Orthodoxy, Conservatism, and Reformism. Each branch has different ways of approaching and discussing their perspective on transgenders. Reform Judaism has accepted and supports the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Since late 2015, Reform Judaism has been the “largest religious denomination to welcome transgender individuals” thanks to the Union of Reform Judaism's adoption of “a resolution affirming the rights of transgender and non-gendered people.” compliant". The resolution was approved with a majority of votes in favour, and no wonder. One of the core tenets of Reform Judaism is “having a long-standing commitment to welcoming people who have been on the margins of society,” according to Rabbi Rick Jacobs. president of the Union of Reform Judaism. The URJ in no way addresses this topic from a halachic perspective but rather a cultural one. No religious reasons for trans rights or synagogue participation are made because the URJ is more about cultural tolerance. URJ believes in a tolerant and all-encompassing religious experience, most supporters and members of Reform Judaism can be found protesting discrimination and advocating for transgender rights in their cities and towns by proxy. Conservative Judaism has always been the middle ground between the extreme and indulgent side of Judaism, where the extreme is Orthodox and the indulgent is reformist. The conservative movement also recently accepted a resolution affirming the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The Conservative Rabbinical Assembly called on all institutions, including synagogues and any institutions affiliated with the Conservative movement, to ensure that facilities accommodate the needs of transgender people as well as having the polite etiquette of using the correct pronouns of said person. Within the text of the resolution itself, some of the reasons given for why the resolution was passed are quite interesting. The resolution begins with the Torah's statement that "all humanity is created b'tzelem Elohim (in the divine image of God)" and goes on to state that "rabbinic tradition strongly emphasizes the importance of kvod habriyot (human dignity)." . This implies that disrespect towards a trans individual, whatever he or she may be, is compared to disrespect towards God. A committee on Jewish law and standards even states that “kvod habriyot” should replace rabbinical prohibitions relating to homosexuality". The resolution makes several other points about the conservative movement's discrimination and support of marginalized groups and raises an interesting point. “[also] the literature of halakhah, from the Mishnah to.