Are jews allowed to be gay

In 2012, the movement endorsed gay marriage. Full equality and inclusion for transgender persons was endorsed in 2015.

The Conservative rabbinate adopted a similar resolution the following year. Some Jewish authorities still support it, but they are mostly (though not exclusively) members of the haredi Orthodox community.

The main proponent of conversion therapy in the Jewish community was a New Jersey-based group called JONAH, which in 2015 was found guilty of consumer fraud for using scientifically questionable methods and claiming a success rate it could not substantiate.

However, rabbinic literature often focused more on community cohesion than individual punishment.

• Talmudic Discussions: The Talmud, a central text in Rabbinic Judaism, offers limited commentary on homosexuality, focusing instead on broader issues of morality and legal precedent.
• Medieval and Early Modern Views: Jewish scholars during these periods often adhered to traditional interpretations of Leviticus, reflecting the broader societal attitudes of their times.

Modern Movements and Changing Attitudes

In the modern era, the diverse branches of Judaism have developed varying stances on homosexuality:

1. Orthodox Judaism:
   
   • Orthodox Judaism generally maintains a traditional interpretation of Levitical prohibitions, viewing homosexual acts as against Jewish law.
   • Despite this, some Orthodox communities emphasize compassion and inclusion, focusing on the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals.
2. Conservative Judaism:
   
   • Conservative Judaism has undergone significant changes in its approach to homosexuality.
   • In 2006, the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards issued rulings permitting the ordination of openly gay and lesbian rabbis and the recognition of same-sex relationships, while still upholding traditional interpretations for those who choose to follow them.
3. Reform Judaism:
   
   • Reform Judaism, emphasizing ethical principles over ritual law, has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion.
   • The movement supports same-sex marriage, ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, and full acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within Jewish life.
4. Reconstructionist and Humanistic Judaism:
   
   • These progressive movements embrace LGBTQ+ inclusion as part of their commitment to social justice and equality.
   • They affirm the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities as part of human dignity and expression.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Jewish Communities

Across Jewish communities, efforts have been made to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Several traditional sources temper the harshness of the “abomination” by citing the lack of procreative potential as the reason for the abominable nature of the homosexual act. Homosexuality, seen as deviating from these norms, was generally viewed negatively. And a number of grassroots groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Orthodox Jews and their families have emerged, including JQY and Eshel.

What about gay marriage?

Attitudes toward gay marriage track closely with attitudes toward homosexuality generally.

However, later rabbinic authorities expanded the prohibition to include lesbian sexual acts and all male homosexual activities short of anal intercourse. Thus some Jewish authorities have argued that since homosexuality is not chosen, its expression cannot be forbidden.

Indeed, the Reform movement does not condemn homosexual sex, and openly gay people are eligible for admittance into Reform rabbinical schools.

Gay marriage was endorsed by the rabbinate in 1996 and by the movement’s congregational arm the following year. Israel has regularly touted its achievements on gay rights as a sign of its progressive Western worldview, a practice some critics have derided as an attempt at “pinkwashing” — that is, to distract from its treatment of the Palestinians.

For more on LGBTQ Jewish life, visit MyJewishLearning’s Keshet blog.