On this Trans Day of Visibility, there are currently 435 anti-LGBTQ bills (per the ACLU) that have been introduced across the United States. While not all are targeting the trans community, I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority are — ranging in issue from attacking trans youth, access to gender affirming healthcare and the general freedom and dignity of transgender people. To be clear, not all of these bills will ultimately be signed into law. However, some already have been.
Most recently, lawmakers in Kentucky passed a bill which “bans access to gender-affirming health care for trans children, restricts which bathrooms and lockers they use, prohibits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, and allows teachers to use students’ birth names and pronouns against their wishes.”
As a queer, gender-questioning Jew, I’m heartbroken, disgusted and infuriated. Not only do these laws harm people I am in queer community with, they also offend my Jewish values which urge the protection of trans youth and bodily autonomy. But if Judaism has taught me anything, it’s that 1) you should not fall into despair for long and 2) blessings precede action.
So, on this Trans Day of Visibility, before one takes action (perhaps by donating to grassroots organizations that support the trans community, calling your lawmakers or even just existing as a trans person), feel free to use these blessings I have written to mark the occasion — one is specific to trans individuals and the other is for allies:
A Jewish Blessing for Trans Day of Visibility (For trans individuals)
Blessed are You Eternal Spirit,
For bringing me, once again,
To this Trans Day of Visibility,
So that I may remind myself
That to be trans is to be holy,
And that I might repeat:
To be trans is to be holy.
Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh.
And so that I might also remind myself
That my trans body and neshama (spirit) is made with intention,
In your image, Oh Eternal, Loving Spirit,
Perfect as it is,
Or as it will become, with the necessity that is gender-affirming care.
I pray that I shall always honor my trans family that came before me,
May their memories be a blessing,
Especially those who should be by my side on this day, if it were not for anti-trans hatred, violence and legislation.
May their memories be a revolution,
Blessed Are You, Eternal Spirit,
For protecting trans lives, and giving us the strength to protect ourselves,
From generation to generation,
So that, one day, speedily and soon, we will live visibly and proudly
Without fear,
Amen.
A Jewish Blessing for Trans Day of Visibility (For allies)
Blessed are You Eternal Spirit
For bringing me, once again,
To this Trans Day of Visibility,
So that I may remind myself and others
That to be trans is to be holy,
And that I might repeat:
To be trans is to be holy.
Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh.
And so that I might also remind myself
That trans bodies and neshama (spirits) are made with intention,
In your image, Oh Eternal, Loving Spirit,
Perfect as they are,
Or as they will become, with the necessity that is gender-affirming care.
I pray that I shall always honor the trans community, present and past,
May their memories be a blessing,
Especially those who should be with us today, if it were not for anti-trans hatred, violence and legislation.
May their memories be a revolution,
Blessed Are You, Eternal Spirit,
For protecting trans lives,
And for giving me the power to be the keeper of my trans brothers, sisters and siblings,
So that I may pursue justice and dignity on their behalf,
At every opportunity,
So that, one day, speedily and soon, they shall live visibly and proudly
Without fear,
Amen.
