Treyf is a Yiddish word used for something that’s not kosher - colloquially it has come to mean something that is in the wrong, undesirable, something to stay away from.
This is absolutely true when it comes terfs - those who deny, reject and attempt to impede trans rights. That is because protecting trans people is a Jewish value.
Gabriel Stein-Bodenheimer wrote for Hey Alma “ Saving a life (in Hebrew, pikuach nefesh) is a core Jewish value. The rabbis of the Talmud tell us, “Whoever saves one life, it is as if that person saved the whole world.” A life is more important than any mitzvot. Life is more important than fasting on Yom Kippur. If a person needs to take medicine, the Talmud tells us, the community should support them in doing everything they need to take the medicine and maintain their health. You should live by the mitzvot, not die by them.
Trans-affirming healthcare is medicine. Puberty blockers are medicine. Hormone Replacement Therapy is medicine. Gender affirming surgeries are medicine. They save lives.
As Jews, we have the moral obligation to value life.
Over half of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered suicide within the past year, according the Trevor Project 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health. Transgender and nonbinary youth are two to two and a half times more likely to experience depression and attempt suicide than their non-transgender LGB peers. Youth with multiple, intersecting marginalized identities experiences even greater disparities in mental health”
This is CRYSTAL clear. Shirt by @jfrejnyc “there's no room for transphobia in our movement for collective liberation; TERFs are TREYF! 100% of the profits will go to the Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund ”
