The World Values Network is honored to announce the presence of television personality and Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete Caitlyn Jenner at their Sixth Annual Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala, which will be held on March 8th, 2018 at The Plaza in New York City.
Having already summited the spheres of athletics and entertainment, Caitlyn became one of the foremost exponents of LGBTQ rights in the world today and has become a cultural icon. Widely considered the most famous openly transgender woman on earth, she is also a sincere supporter of the State of Israel, which has always been a world leader in securing the rights and wellbeing of people of all identities. In a region where discrimination, persecution, and even execution are daily realities for LGBTQ communities and individuals, Israel’s message of liberty and tolerance must be desperately heeded.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach said, “Israel is a bastion of global human rights and a great light to the nations. But the Middle East is sadly a cesspit of human rights abuses, especially toward LGBTQ citizens who are routinely murdered, beheaded, and even hung from cranes. Caitlyn Jenner, a great friend of the Jewish people and Israel, is uniquely suited to highlight Israel’s incredible record on human rights and LGBTQ rights and protection to the LGBTQ citizens which is utterly unique and unprecedented in the Middle East. I believe her remarks will have a global impact, especially as we celebrate 70 years of Israel as the Middle East’s only democracy.”
For years, Israel’s military has served as a model for transgender soldiers to serve. In 1993, Israel became one of the first countries on earth to protect the rights of transgender soldiers, providing them with the constitutional right to a full and unhindered service. Today, the Jewish State is one of only eighteen nations on earth whose armies allow transgender individuals to serve.
The Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala, now in its 6th year, celebrates individuals who honor human rights and defend the protections and values of democracies like Israel which will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Other honored guests will include Ron Dermer (Israeli Ambassador to the US), Dennis Prager (The Dennis Prager Show), Sean Spicer (Former White House Press Secretary), Dana White (Chief Spokesperson, The Pentagon), Congressman Ron DeSantis, Dani Dayan (Consul General of Israel) and Adar Gandelsman (Miss Universe Israel). Past honorees have included Pamela Anderson, Senator Cory Booker, Academy Award-winner Sean Penn, Academy Award-winner Sir Ben Kingsley, Pulitzer Prize-winner Brett Stephens, Philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, Newt Gingrich and Senator Ted Cruz.
