UPDATE 🚨 The Equality Act has passed HOUSE, now in SENATE 🏳️‍🌈 Here’s how to take action.

by | Feb 23, 2021 | Activism, Archived, Archived 2021, Featured, JCJ Blog, Judaism, LGBTQ

UPDATE: On February 25, the House passed The Equality Act. The bill now moves to the Senate. All actions mentioned below will apply to U.S. Senators only.

Last week, The Equality Act was officially passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Jewish Center for Justice, Keshet and our partners are mobilizing Jewish communities and pro-equality people of faith in support of The Equality Act, which would update the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Equality Act, will not only expand non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans but also fill key gaps in civil rights law for cisgender women, religious groups, and immigrants.

By supporting this bill, we are also echoing core Jewish values, including:

  • Love your neighbor as yourself (V’ahavta L’reiacha Kamocha) – LGBTQ Americans should have the same rights as non-LGBTQ Americans.
  • Respect (Kavod) – Judaism teaches us to treat ourselves and others with respect, including the stranger. Respect is a feeling of regard for the rights, dignity, feelings, wishes, and abilities of others. 
  • Communal Responsibility (Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh) – The Jewish principle that “All Israel is responsible for one another” means each of us must take action and inspire others to create a community in which we can all take pride.

We are encouraging our community to turn its focus toward contacting our Senators and urging them to vote in favor.

TAKE ACTION by either:

  1. Contacting your Senators via www.keshetonline.org/equalityact and urge them to pass this critical legislation OR
  2. Calling your Senators directly. U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Find your SENATORS here.

Sample call language:

Hello my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am calling to urge Senator [NAME] to support The Equality Act. As a member of the Jewish community, I believe in the core value to love your neighbor as yourself (V’ahavta L’reiacha Kamocha). The Equality Act will not only expand non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans but also fill key gaps in civil rights law for cisgender women, religious groups, and immigrants. No one, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should have to live in fear of discrimination. Thank you in advance for your consideration. 

Check back to the JCJ website and social media for updates on the progress of The Equality Act.

Download our Pride Month and Equality Act images to share on social media.