Many of us take great pride in the significant impact the organized Jewish community had on advancing the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Fifty years from now, will we look back on the battle for same-sex marriage and feel the same sense of pride?
Same-sex marriage is one of the most significant civil rights issues of the day. For this reason, the Anti-Defamation League, the California branch of the NAACP and many other civil rights organizations are demanding that the government provide the same rights and benefits to same-sex couples as it provides to heterosexual couples. Both Jewish individuals and Jewish institutions should also be involved and engaged in this important fight for equality.
Yes, individuals who happen to be Jewish are speaking out in support of same-sex marriage, but it is also important for Jewish institutions to be involved. Non-Jews need to see that the organized Jewish community continues to care about broader societal issues. Jewish gays and lesbians need to believe that their institutions care about their rights. Our children must remember that we were not silent when called upon to take a stand on this issue.
Fortunately, the Reform movement has recognized this need to get involved. In taking a position in support of same-sex marriage, the president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Charles Kroloff, said, “Gay and lesbian Jews … deserve the recognition and respect due to people created in the image of God.” However, why are we not hearing more from the heads of Jewish institutions?
There are many arguments for why Jews should get more involved in this issue. One of my favorites was offered by Rabbi Shira Stern, co-president of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, who said, “This is as much a civil rights issue as it is a religious issue and [same-sex marriage] does a great deal towards strengthening Jewish families by recognizing the sacred relationship between two Jews, whether they be homosexual or heterosexual.” Again, all Jews need to know that we care about all of their rights.
We are currently combating some of the vilest anti-Semitism the world has seen in a long time. The right of Jews to live peacefully in society and practice their faith in whatever way they please is being threatened. As we have learned from the past, the rights of Jews are intertwined with the rights of all people. When fighting anti-Semitism and advancing human rights, we need to form strong alliances with anyone who might empathize with our situation.
Some have attempted to mischaracterize same-sex marriage as a religious debate. It is not. Those religious institutions that do not wish to sanctify a religious marriage can continue to maintain that position. And individuals who believe that same-sex marriage violates their religious values can hold onto their beliefs. However, the government must stop discriminating against people solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. This is what the narrow definition of marriage has done for too many years.
Heterosexual married couples are recognized as a family unit and are given many legal rights and privileges. Homosexual couples are not afforded many of these same rights. Homosexual couples come face-to-face with blatant discrimination when they seek to adopt a child. When one partner hails from another country, the same immigration laws and practices enjoyed by heterosexual couples do not apply. When a partner in a loving, committed homosexual relationship is dying in a hospital, that partner has few legal rights to make all the difficult decisions. An estranged sister or brother has more rights.
The courts can be used to battle some of these acts of discrimination. However, a whole body of law has developed over the years around the term “marriage.” It is for this reason that the proposed compromise position of endorsing “civil unions” won’t work. With civil unions, same-sex couples will continue to be victimized by discrimination without enough legal protection. In addition, providing marriages to everyone in society except gays and lesbians harks back to the “separate but equal” days.
You can get involved in this all-important issue by contacting your state representatives to urge their vote against any bans on same-sex marriage and vote for Assembly Bill 19, co-authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno. AB 19 defines marriage as “a personal relationship arising out of a civil contract between two persons.” If enacted, the bill would remove the barriers to equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples.
Same-sex marriage is a major civil rights issue and Jews should be marching at the front of this battle with our brothers, sisters and children, Jewish and not Jewish, just as we did for other civil rights issues. We must do this because our faith and traditions tell us to do so. we must rededicate ourselves to the very Jewish belief that equal rights apply to everyone. Please do your part.
Jonathan Bernstein is regional director of the Anti-Defamation League for the Central Pacific Region.