Dear Lab/Shul,

In just 5 days we will gather to celebrate and lift up liberation.  It’s not too late to join us in person or online for Freedom Feast.

Today marks Transgender Day of Visibility, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions of trans* individuals and the right to express gender identity, to be oneself, publicly and without harassment. Yet the freedom of expression and safety of transgender people and drag performers (who may or may not identify as trans*, and are living outside of conventional gender norms nonetheless) are being threatened daily in the United States.

As we think about the many forms of Freedom during our spring celebrations, we must also lift up the liberation of those of us who live in an expanded universe of gender expression, and especially those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender non-confirming.

We are proud and excited to raise this call for liberation to our Freedom Feast!

Check out this brand new invitation –  from one of our beloved ritual leaders and partners, Ona Louise, Executive Director of Drag Story Hour.

According to GLAAD, over 150 anti-trans bills have been filed already in 2023, many of them targeting youth. Just this past Wednesday, Kentucky passed a law, overriding their governor’s veto, banning gender-affirming care for minors and as of tomorrow, April 1, public “male or female impersonation” will be illegal in Tennessee. These laws and others like them intensify a growing climate that actively threatens the safety and freedom of trans* and gender non-conforming people. To learn more about concrete actions you can take to combat such legislation, check out Trans Week.

To learn more about Transgender Day of Visibility, check out these resources from our friends at Keshet, a national organization that works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life . You can also take ACLU’s pledge to “Support Trans Youth Now” here or make a donation to GLITS today.

We are so grateful to have trans* and gender non-conforming folks on our Lab/Shul team and in our community – we see you, we love you, we’re with you.

We look forward to a powerful Freedom Feast, partnering with our friends from Drag Story Hour, East End Temple, Judson Memorial Church, Middle Church, Muslim Community Network, and NY Zen Center. Together, we’ll explore our ancient shared narratives and commitment to justice, liberation, and dignity for all.

Whether you plan to join us for Freedom Feast, go to another seder, or no seder at all, join us at 10pm for the Matzah Ball Free Dance Party at House of YES in Brooklyn. Save your spot here.

We yearn for the day when all people can be free to be themselves in all spaces with joy and safety. Only then can we truly be liberated.

With love,
The Lab/Shul Team