1978
First Openly Gay Rabbi in the United States
Activism Cultural
Allen Bennett, ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1974, came out publicly during the campaign against California's Briggs Initiative. He became the first openly gay rabbi in the United States, officiated at Harvey Milk's funeral in 1978, and in 1979 was elected rabbi of Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco.
Impact & Significance
Broke ground for LGBTQ+ clergy across all Jewish denominations, demonstrating that religious leadership and queer identity could coexist.
Reference Record
- Date
- 1978
- Era
- 1970-1989
- Sources
- 1
Editorially reviewed — reviewed · last reviewed 2026-09-19.
Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q When was same-sex marriage legalised in the UK? Same-sex marriage was legalised across the UK in stages, with England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reaching implementation at different times. Q Which LGBTQ+ public figures changed visibility? They changed visibility in politics, science, activism and literature by showing that queer lives could be public, influential and historic. Q How did LGBTQ+ faith inclusion develop? It developed through LGBTQ+-affirming religious organisations, openly LGBTQ+ clergy, denominational policy changes and contested pastoral shifts.
