As Pride Month continues, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, we also take a look back at a number of Jewish leaders who made cultural and historic contributions to that community. From politicians and lawyers to religious leaders, here is a list of some of those who have made a great impact for the LGBTQ+ movement and a just, equitable society.
Barnett (Barney) Frank, a congressman from Newtown, Massachusetts was the first openly gay member of Congress. In 1987, he came out as gay and in 2012, he married his longtime partner Jim Ready, becoming the first member of Congress to marry someone of the same sex while in office. Frank served as the chairman for the House Financial Services Committee and co-sponsored the 2010 Dodd-Frank act.
After her wife’s death, Edie Windsor was ordered to pay a significant state tax because the Federal government didn’t recognize her marriage under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA.) Windsor teamed up with lawyer Roberta Kaplan, who took on the case pro-bono, to challenge the unconstitutional nature of DOMA and they won their case in the Supreme Court. This was a major victory that eventually led to the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Rabbi Steven Greenberg is the first openly gay Orthodox-ordained Jewish rabbi. Navigating a challenging intersection of identities, he has been an advocate for an often silent constituency. Greenberg is the director and co-founder of Eshel, a national LGBTQ+ support and education organization for Orthodox LGBTQ+ community members.
Bayard Rustin was a Jewish civil rights and labor activist, who was a prominent figure known for organizing the 1963 March on Washington for jobs and freedom. He was a close advisor of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Unfortunately, Rustin was terminated from his position at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLS) because of his sexuality. In the latter part of his career, he became a larger advocate for LGBTQ causes. Netflix recently released a film based on Rustin’s life. In June 2022, in recognition of Rustin and the incredible work of the Phyllis B Frank Rockland County Pride Center, Nyack renamed one of its streets “Bayard Rustin Way.”
The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County values our relationship with the Rockland County Pride Center. We are grateful for our local partners and the opportunity to be mutually supportive of each other’s causes. The Rockland County Pride Center has stood with us and expressed their allyship both before and especially after October 7th, despite hostility from some. This solidarity is something we don’t take for granted and we are proud to stand with them. Wishing a beautiful Pride Month to all!