Central Conference of American Rabbis Responds to President Trump on Transgender Equality

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Central Conference of American Rabbis condemns President Donald J. Trump’s statement that transgender Americans would not be permitted to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Transgender Americans have served honorably in the U.S. military—when they could not do so openly; and, more recently, since evidence led to a change in Defense Department policy to welcome transgender Americans in service. The President’s policy reversal announced today is not only discriminatory; it is an unpatriotic slap in the face of transgender military members.

Reform rabbis affirm our conviction that a humanity created in God’s image includes all people, wherever they may locate themselves on the full, broad spectrum of gender identities.

Reform rabbis urge the President to reverse this discriminatory act. We renew our demand that Congress adopt and the President sign the Equality Act, to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity throughout the United States.

Rabbi David Stern                             Rabbi Steven A. Fox
President                                          Chief Executive

Central Conference of American Rabbis