LGBTQ+ Jewish Life

What Can We Learn from the Pfeffermans?

Wes Hopper

Most people have at least heard of Amazon’s groundbreaking television show, Transparent, which along with transgender actress Laverne Cox of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black and movies such as Tangerine, are pushing transgender stories from the margins into the mainstream. But to single out Transparent simply for highlighting a topic that’s still taboo in most of the television world is to overlook the other half of the show’s DNA – its significant reliance on Jewish themes and customs to weave its tale. It may seem an arbitrary combination, as the show is based in part on creator Jill Soloway’s own Jewish family and transgendered parent, but advocacy for LGBTQ rights has a long history among progressive Jews.

When My Daughter Laura Became My Son Lawrence

Rabbi Helen T. Cohn

Coming home from the temple where I served as rabbi, I spotted a bag from our local pharmacy on the kitchen counter. It was stapled shut, but the attached prescription for my 25-year-old daughter Laura announced its contents: testosterone.

My worst fears were

Gender Diversity in Jewish Tradition

Jordan Dashow
In today's world, when it is not uncommon for people to reject trans and non-binary gender identities, it is encouraging to know that the idea of multiple genders and sexes isn't new-it's an idea rooted in our rabbinic texts.

Celebrate Pride Month in the Jewish Community

Kate Bigam Kaput
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride Month originally honored the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, which were a major turning point for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Today, Pride Month is observed in communities across the country with parades, festivals, and other joyful events that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Yet, Pride Month also serves to memorialize and honor those who have died of hate crimes and HIV/AIDS.