Yeshiva University Recognizes LGBTQ+ Student Club After Legal Battle

(AP) — Yeshiva University has agreed to officially recognize an LGBTQ+ student club following years of legal disputes, some of which reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

The university announced Thursday it had reached an agreement with the students to end the litigation, confirming the club, now called Hareni, will be recognized and “will operate in accordance with the approved guidelines of Yeshiva University’s senior rabbis.”

“The club will be run like other clubs on campus, all in the spirit of a collaborative and mutually supportive campus culture,” the university said.

In a separate statement Thursday, Hareni said it would enjoy the same privileges as other student organizations and plans to host events like movie nights, panel discussions, and career networking. The club will publicly use the term “LGBTQ+” on its flyers and advertisements.

“This agreement affirms that LGBTQ+ students at Yeshiva University are valued members of the community,” said Schneur Friedman, a president of the group.

“This victory is not just for our club — it’s for every student who deserves a safe space to be themselves,” added Hayley Goldberg, another president of Hareni.