Jewish Groups to be Vetted for LGBT Workplace Policies

(JTA) -- A national initiative is underway to examine gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workplace policies at Jewish non-profit organizations.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which advocates for LGBT equality, announced this week an extension of its workplace equality project in the Jewish non-profit sector. Organizations will be examined for their workplace policies regarding LGBT employees, and areas that need education will be highlighted.

The HRC notes that employees can be fired for their sexual orientation in 29 states, and for their gender identity or expression in 38 states. Information on current practices at nonprofits is largely unavailable. This project will serve as a pilot to expand workplace equality into other non-profits and small employers.

“The continued marginalization of LGBT Jews in some quarters is especially disheartening for those of us who believe in the power of a fully inclusive Jewish community that embraces every person as having equal and infinite merit,” said Lynn Schusterman, chair of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, which provided the lead grant for the project.

Supporting grants come from Morning Star Foundation, Stuart Kurlander and an anonymous donor.

An initial report is expected to be released in 2012.