200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

From Shadows to Pride — UK & Global Timeline

Source Record

Rabbi Allen Bennett

Why this source is used

LGBTQ Religious Archives Network profile and oral-history pointer for Rabbi Allen Bennett, an early openly gay rabbi and religious activist.

Start with the answer

Start with the answer How did LGBTQ+ faith inclusion develop? It developed through LGBTQ+-affirming religious organisations, openly LGBTQ+ clergy, denominational policy changes and contested pastoral shifts. Read the topic guide LGBTQ+ Faith and Religious Inclusion LGBTQ+ faith inclusion developed through affirming churches, queer religious organisations, openly LGBTQ+ clergy and contested shifts in denominational teaching.

Source Status

Publisher
LGBTQ Religious Archives Network
Type
archive
Reliability
medium
Cited by
3 pages

Source Links

Open original source https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/allen-bennett Accessed 4 June 2026 Open archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/allen-bennett

Used by Topics

LGBTQ+ Faith and Religious Inclusion

Used by Questions

How did LGBTQ+ faith inclusion develop?

Used by Timeline Events

1978 ActivismCultural

First Openly Gay Rabbi in the United States

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, later serving as rabbi of Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco and officiating at Harvey Milk's funeral in 1978.