Why We Can’t Remain Silent; A Jewish Response to Rising Transphobia in America
As Jews, we must extend our pursuit of justice and righteousness to every aspect of our lives. It is our responsibility to fiercely reject all forms of hate, including the dangerous rhetoric espoused by Michael Knowles at this year's CPAC. His call for the eradication of "transgenderism [...] from public life entirely" is a direct and violent threat to the trans community, and we must not stay silent in the face of such hatred.
We cannot separate transness from trans lives and trans people, especially during a time when legislation across the country moves to deny their rights wholesale. Instead, our Jewish values urge us to dismantle the systems that continue to marginalize and oppress, and to listen to the voices of trans people during the process. Our knowledge of history and political oppression teaches us that whenever a group of people is treated as an inherent intrusion on public life, it sets the stage for even greater marginalization and mistreatment.
Today, our organization works to pass policy that protects our communities from harm. Earlier this year, Governor Walz signed our Combating Hate bill (HF 181/SF 691) into law with the public safety omnibus. The policies within aim to provide greater protections for marginalized communities, including transgender individuals, by providing financial support to victims, and simplifying the processes used to report incidents of hate. We’re glad to have reached this important step, and also know that this work doesn’t end here.
We cannot separate transness and gender diversity from our Judaism. Our Torah teaches us about the importance of gender fluidity and diversity. The first person created in God's image was neither wholly male nor female, but a union of the two. The Nazi regime attacked not only Jews but also anyone they deemed "degenerate" or "un-German," including the LGBTQ+ community. They burned literature that discussed sexuality and gender identity. They burned the earliest scientific institute dedicated to trans healthcare. And they did so in their pursuit to build a fascist state and to eradicate "transgenderism [...] from public life entirely."
- Jewish Community Action
For more resources and community support, please read OutFront Minnesota's public response to a comment made during CPAC, asserting that “transgenderism [sic] must be eradicated from public life entirely”: https://www.outfront.org/amidst-ongoing-assault-community-outfront-responds OutFront works to create a future where all Minnesotans have the freedom, power and confidence to make the best choices for their own lives.
You can also reach out to Isaac Jennings, J-Pride's Program Coordinator, via email: ijennings@jfcsmpls.org, for support. J-Pride is a local Twin Cities group providing queer-focused safe spaces and Jewish programming for LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies in the Metro.
