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Believe Out Loud Multi-Faith Statement Decries Texas’ New Law Discriminating Against Transgender Youth

“Sports teams should be a shining example to children of how working together with people of different backgrounds can foster close bonds and help young people find success through teamwork”

DALLAS, Texas (Nov. 2, 2021) – A national coalition of 42 organizations and 171 individuals have endorsed a multi-faith statement of solidarity with transgender children in Texas, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Texas House Bill 25, prohibiting K-12 student-athletes from competing on school sports teams aligned with their gender identity.

“It breaks my heart that some see our differences as threats instead of gifts to be cherished,” said Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. “Our transgender children do not need to be excluded. Now, more than ever, they need to be validated and told they are perfect just the way they are.”

The statement, stewarded by Believe Out Loud, a global digital project providing resources and community for LGBTQIA people of faith and allies and a program of the Cathedral of Hope, says in part:

Sports teams should be a shining example to children of how working together with people of different backgrounds can foster close bonds and help young people find success through teamwork. Giving transgender youth a place on such teams could improve mental health by leaps and bounds and provide a network of friends who don’t see their differences as grounds for exclusion but opportunities for celebration.

Believe Out Loud calls on people of faith to stand with transgender siblings who are being targeted by legislators around the country. In Texas, during a historic pandemic and ongoing suffering Governor Greg Abbot called a special session to pass legislation to prevent transgender children in school from playing sports in their gender identity.

Join us in letting Governor Greg Abbott know that people of faith stand with our transgender siblings and that the God we know would welcome all children to come and play.

The statement received endorsements from organizations, religious leaders, and concerned community members of diverse backgrounds, including United Church of Christ, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth, Soulforce, Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies, Estuary Space, Trinity Episcopal Church, Parity, West End Collegiate Church, Congregation Kol Ami, Lake Street Church of Evanston, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis, Zion Episcopal Church, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, and Ferndale First United Methodist Church.

Dozens of Christian clergy, rabbi’s and community leaders endorsed the statement, including Dr. Wilhelmina Perry (Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent), Mark Edward Pettis (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager, United Church of Christ), Jeff Mummert (Treasurer and Board Member, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth), Rev. Alba Onofrio (Co-Executive Director, Soulforce), Tanya Tassi (National Community Center Policy Manager, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers), Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies), Danny Cortez (Executive Director, Estuary Space), Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church), Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen (Executive Director, Parity), Rabbi Denise L Eger (Senior Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami), Reverend Wes Mullins (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis), Reverend Lucy LaRocca (Zion Episcopal Church), Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas (Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), and Reverend Robert Schoenhals (Ferndale First United Methodist Church).

Signatures came from the following states: Ohio, West Coast, New York, Alabama, California, North Carolina, Texas, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, and Washington.

Notable comments from our endorsers:

I am transgender and I am a religious professional. Full Transgender inclusion is a tenet of my faith.

Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration

I am so grateful that people of faith are standing up for a community of people who need people to back them in the walk and seek justice for them…with them.

Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC

As a long-time activist for racial, economic, and social justice since the late fifties (I am now 85), I heartily sign this petition.

Dr. Harold Kooden, Retired

The #1 value in our school is Tzelem Elohim – we are all made in the divine image, the #1 Jewish law is “save a life” I am signing as a Jew, parent, educator, colleague and friend for both reasons.

Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him

The ability to play team sports was integral to becoming who I am. However, I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I’d been able to transition as a young person AND be able to engage in sports that aligned with my gender identity. Please don’t exclude transgender kids from those opportunities.

The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Sports promote confidence, self-awareness, physical and mental wellbeing, teamwork, and encourage growth, leadership, and engagement across backgrounds and experiences. To deny these opportunities to any child is harmful. Everyone is a child of God and should be treated as such.

Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship, Cathedral of Hope

Discriminating against transgender people (especially youth & children!) is not Christian. Defending them is.

Rosina Snow, Dir. of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC

I believe in inclusivity.

Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church

I am a rabbi and the mom of a transgender child and a non-binary child. I know first hand from both seats how vital it is to protect trans children, whose lives are at stake.

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All

Every human carries God’s DNA as a child of God. God would not deny any of them health care!

Every child of God is loved by God unconditionally. Every child‚ every trans child‚ deserves respect, equal opportunity in life including sports!

Rev Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church Of Christ

Thank you for your continuing faith and work on behalf of our transgender youth, some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer

These young people are more at risk and deal with much pain because of people’s lack of acceptance. Provide them with acceptance and opportunities.

Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran

Transgender Rights are Human Rights.

Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth

As a church community, we welcome all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe that trans women and girls are female and trans men and boys are male and that God loves them as such. We aspire to create an affirming space where transgender and non-binary people feel welcome and loved and where intersectional diversity is normalized and embraced.

Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

All children deserve to be protected. Any law that would diminish a child’s right to thrive in school and sports must be challenged as being anti-democratic.

Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies

Our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being, including children and LGBTQIA+ children.

Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church

###

About Cathedral of Hope

Cathedral of Hope, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), based in Dallas, Texas, is the world’s largest liberal Christian church with a primary outreach to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people. Local and national church ministries, outreach programs, pastoral counseling, television media and the Internet touch thousands of lives each day. The Mission of the Cathedral of Hope is to reclaim Christianity as a faith of extravagant grace, radical inclusion and relentless compassion. Our beliefs are based upon our Core Values. The Core Values of Cathedral of Hope are Compassion, Inclusion, Liberation, Hope and Faith in Jesus.

About Believe Out Loud

Believe Out Loud is a global digital community working to move all people toward an expansive, transformative understanding of divine love. We center and sanctify queer spirituality across our programs, from our online worship services led by LGBTQIA faith leaders to our grantmaking program supporting faith-driven LGBTQIA peacebuilders around the world. On our social media platforms, hundreds of thousands of queer people of faith and allies gather to experience affirmation of their divinity—and to heal from damaging societal messages that alienate the LGBTQIA community from spiritual resources.

# # # #

Updated on November 10th, 2021

Organizational Endorsements:

Keshet

The Collegiate Churches of New York

Middle Collegiate Church

Fort Washington Collegiate Church

West End Collegiate Church

Marble Collegiate Church

United Church of Christ

New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth

Soulforce

Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers

Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies

Estuary Space

Trinity Episcopal Church

Parity

West End Collegiate Church

Congregation Kol Ami

Lake Street Church of Evanston

MCC San Diego

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis

Zion Episcopal Church

Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ

Ferndale First United Methodist Church

Faith in Public Life

Friends Congregational Church UCC

Church of the Savior

Methodist Federation for Social Action

Epiphany United Church of Christ

MAPSCO LLC

Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative

Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community

Catholics for Choice

Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Unitarian Universalist Association

Interfaith Alliance

TransEpiscopal

New Ways Ministry

Faithful America

Essentials for Life Ministries

St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church

The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina

ADL (Anti-Defamation League)

Individual Endorsements:

Institutional affiliation is provided for identification purposes only and does not constitute an institutional endorsement.

Reverend Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Reverend Katherine Katsanis-Semel, MCC SD

Reverend Wes Mullins, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis

Reverend Lucy LaRocca, Zion Episcopal Church

Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ

Reverend Robert Schoenhals, Ferndale First United Methodist Church

The Rev. Tom Fehr, Episcopal Church

Reverend Ashley Birt, Affirming Youth Ministries

Natasha Moore, Quench Finance

Ross Murray, Deacon, GLAAD

Reverend Glynden Bode, UMC

Jeffrey Stinson

Reverend Dr. Fran Mayes, retired MCC

Julie McCord

Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration First Jefferson UUC

Taj M. Smith, Taj M Smith Coaching & Consulting

Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC

The Rev. Sandra John, Soul Awakening

Clarence Anderson

Dr. Emily Anderson, CUNY/BMCC

Ms. Terry Boggis

Dr. Judy Turnock, The Riverside Church in the City of New York

Dr. Harold Kooden

Su Yon Pak, Senior Director and Assoc Professor of Integrative and Field-Based Education, Union Theological Seminary

Dan De Leon, Senior Pastor Friends Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

Davi Weasley, Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham

Ivy Tillman

Lisa Fels Davitt, CEO Succession Communications

Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him

Reverend James Waugh, United Methodist Church

Jason Miller, Information Technology

RoseAnn Evans, Administrative Assistant Al Menah Shriners Temple

Reverend Mark Lukens, Bethany Congregational UCC

The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Ross Elliott, RN

Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship Cathedral of Hope, UCC

Rosina Snow, Director of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC

Sara Dion

Reverend Lea Matthews, St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church

Rabbi Andrew Paley, Rabbi Temple Shalom

Susan Xenarios, Former Director and Founder Crime Victims Treatment Center

Rabbi Joshua Strom, Congregation B’nai Yisrael

Debbie Walker, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church

Danielle Phillips, Western Washington University

Lisa Johnson

Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church

Marge Maloney

Judy Rogers

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All

Reverend Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church of Christ

Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer

Dr. Carol Mack, St. Andrew Episcopal Church

The Rev Gwen Fry, Episcopal priest, The Episcopal Church

Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran

Patricia Malley

Jillian Westerfield, Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston

Katherine Behrens

Kevin Gillespie, GAA, Austin Texas

Dr. Wilhelmina Perry Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent

Mark Edward Pettis, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager    United Church of Christ

Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth

Rev. Alba Onofrio, Co-Executive Director Soulforce

Rev. Charles Graves IV, Campus Minister Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

Tanya Tassi, National Community Center Policy Manager CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers

Reverend Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies

Danny Cortez, Executive Director, Estuary Space

Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church

Reverend Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director Parity

Marilyn Flood, Member West End Collegiate Church

Rabbi Denise L Eger, Senior. Rabbi Congregation Kol Ami

Dr. Katherine Ellis, member Riverside Church NYC

Zack Travers, member Riverside Church NYC

George Smith, member Cathedral of hope

Michael Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director Unitarian Universalist Association

Juli Claussen, Elder, First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ FCC-DoC

Katy Joseph, Director of Policy & Advocacy Interfaith Alliance

Minister Anita Mortimer, Retired Community of Christ

June Levier

Zachary Bennett

Rev. Rachael Hayes, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst

Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina

Patricia Mae MacArthur, New Hope UU

Julie Baugh Cloud, Vice President Baugh Foundation

Michael Kelleher, New Hope: A Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Matt Zimmerman, Lay Leader    Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

Andrea Zimmerman, Dr. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

Phillip Smedley

Angela Aidala, Research Faculty Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

Cameron Partridge, Steering Committee Member TransEpiscopal

Philip Davis, MCC

Patricia Clark

Debbie Walker, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church

Fr. Marek Bozek, Priest and Pastor St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church

Joshua Chen

Reverend Angie Cox, Broad Street United Methodist Church

Margaret M. Rodeheaver, Will Way Books, Inc.

Kathy Plavcan, President Plavcan Consulting LLC

Katelyn Elrod, Student University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Jacob Kraus-Preminger, Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Jasmine, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

Olga Tadesse, Senior Principal Slalom Consulting

Årelis Figueroa, Minister La Iglesia del Pueblo

Ronald L Moore

Mojubaolu O Okome, Professor of Political Science, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Irene King, Member The Riverside Church in the City of New York

Gary Richmond, Retired CUNY

Reverend Michael Livingston Interim Senior Minister The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Mary Biggs, Professor Emerita of English  The College of New Jersey (retired)

Lorraine Burchall

Frances Nicholson, Presbyterian Highland Presbyterian Church

Alexa Donaphin, The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Feitian Ma, Family Resource Specialist KidsPeace

Rev. Dr. Karyn Carlo, American Baptist

Livia Calvet, Columbia University

Crystal Walcutt, Regional Commissioner AYSO 8/A/1597

Reverend Jonathan Favors-Grimes, Olive Tree Community

Aida L. Montero, Member of The Riverside Church In The City Of New York, NYC

Judy Flerl, Church of the Saviour

Bridget Cabrera, Executive Director Methodist Federation for Social Action

M.K. Mcclaskey

Riley

Virl Andrick, The Riverside Church In The City Of New York/ Maranatha ( LGBTQ )

Marcia Y Wooden, Therapist

Geoff Martin, Member The Riverside Church Prayer Group

Pastor Dave Ferguson, Seventh-day Adventist Kinship

Mx. Sulkiro Song HA:N UMC

LaSonya Thompson, Executive Producer InterFaith Film & Music Festival

Reverend Krissy, Epiphany United Church of Christ

Melissa Appleton, President MAPSCO LLC

Staci, Hospital

Dr. R.D. Moore, Mary Moore Instutite

Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director    New Ways Ministry

Pastor Marguerite Sheehan, Trinity Church

The Rev. Anne, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, Founding Executive Director Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative

Reverend Kori Pacyniak, Pastor Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community

Reverend Joan VanBecelaere, North Unitarian Universalist Church in Lewis Center

Margery Maloney

Rev. Nathan Empsall, Executive Director Faithful America

Marlee Breakstone, Domestic Program Associate Catholics for Choice

Jenn Tafel, Minister Grounded Cove Living

Rev. Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries

Cameron Partridge, Rector St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church

Nikhil Mandalaparthy, Board Member Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus

Nat Lazakis

Elizabeth Reid, Excelsior United Methodist Church

Sean, parishioner West End Collegiate Church

Mia Coward, Sr. Campaigns and Organizing Associate Faith in Public Life

The Rev. Trent Williams, Associate Pastor Friends Congregational Church UCC

David Weasley, Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham

Reverend Lucy LaRocca, Zion Episcopal Church

James Sullivan

Dr. Muoyo Okome

L Julian Wharton, Rainbow Room

Rev. Jim Keat, Digital Minister The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Sumati Devadutt, Member of The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Kemi Okome, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Jennifer Stites

Terry Lombardi, Lombardi Family

Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz, Executive Pastor Discipleship & Strategy Cathedral of Hope UCC

Rev. Erin Wyma, Associate Minister of Next Generations Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ

Sue Schrader, Manager of Sources of Hope Gifts & Books Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ

Victoria Anderson, Director of Content Development Believe Out Loud

Stuart Leung, Goodrx

Meghan Fazzi, Manager of Events Simons Foundation

Julia Ann Harbert

Reverend Bruce Lamb, Minister of Faith Formation The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Rueben L Martinez, Empire Stockbroker Training and Tutoring

David Currie, The Interfaith Alliance

Karen Levit, National Civil Rights Counsel ADL (Anti-Defamation League)

Cheryl Iroka, Church School – Teacher The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

Zoe Travers

Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association

Andrew J. Wicks, Director of Youth Ministries and Special Missions First Church of Christ (UCC)

Jon Cohen, Director of Community Mobilization, Keshet

Dozens of Christian clergy, rabbi’s and community leaders endorsed the statement, including:

Dr. Wilhelmina Perry (Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent), Mark Edward Pettis (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager, United Church of Christ), Jeff Mummert (Treasurer and Board Member, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth), Rev. Alba Onofrio (Co-Executive Director, Soulforce), Tanya Tassi (National Community Center Policy Manager, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers), Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies), Danny Cortez (Executive Director, Estuary Space), Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church), Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen (Executive Director, Parity), Rabbi Denise L Eger (Senior Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami), Reverend Wes Mullins (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis), Reverend Lucy LaRocca (Zion Episcopal Church), Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas (Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), Reverend Robert Schoenhals (Ferndale First United Methodist Church), The Rev. Tom Fehr (Episcopal Church), Reverend Ashley Birt, Affirming Youth Ministries, Ross Murray (Deacon, GLAAD), The Rev. Sandra John (Soul Awakening), Reverend Glynden Bode (UMC), Rabbi Joshua Strom (Congregation B’nai Yisrael), Reverend Dr. Fran Mayes (retired MCC), Reverend Jim Cunningham (Chaplain/Pastor United Church of Christ), Rev. Charles Graves IV (Campus Minister Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas), The Rev. M.E. Eccles (St. Martin’s Episcopal Church), Reverend Bobbi Anderson (Church of the Savior UCC), Reverend Don Storey (United Methodist Church), Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Trinity Episcopal Church), Reverend Katherine Katsanis-Semel (MCC SD), Reverend Lea Matthews (St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church), The Rev Gwen Fry (Episcopal priest, The Episcopal Church), Jillian Westerfield (Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston), Reverend Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra (Westminster Presbyterian Church), Reverend Mark Lukens (Bethany Congregational UCC), Reverend Andria Davis (Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship Cathedral of Hope, UCC), Rabbi Andrew Paley (Rabbi Temple Shalom), Reverend Pamela Werner (St. James Lutheran), Pastor Dan De Leon (Senior Pastor, Friends Congregational Church, United Church of Christ), Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, (SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All), Pastor David Weasley (Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham), Tehilah Eisenstadt (Director of Yachad & Family Education, CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him), Reverend James Waugh (United Methodist Church), Reverend Dr. Michael Diaz (Executive Pastor, Discipleship & Strategy, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), Reverend Erin Wyma (Associate Minister of Next Generations, United Church of Christ), Reverend Bruce Lamb (The Riverside Church), Minister Årelis Figueroa (La Iglesia del Pueblo), Reverend Michael Livingston (Interim Senior Minister The Riverside Church, NYC), Reverend Dr. Karyn Carlo (American Baptist), Reverend Jonathan Favors-Grimes (Olive Tree Community), Pastor Dave Ferguson (Seventh-day Adventist Kinship), Reverend Krissy (Epiphany United Church of Christ), Pastor Marguerite Sheehan (Trinity Church), The Rev. Anne (Episcopal Diocese of Arizona), Reverend Jason Carson Wilson (Founding Executive Director, Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative), Reverend Kori Pacyniak (Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community), (North Unitarian Universalist Church in Lewis Center), Reverend Nathan Empsall (Executive Director, Faithful America), Minister Jenn Tafel (Grounded Cove Living), Reverend Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries, Cameron Partridge (Steering Committee Member TransEpiscopal), Fr. Marek Bozek (Priest and Pastor St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church), Reverend Angie Cox (Broad Street United Methodist Church), Minister Anita Mortimer (Retired Community of Christ), Reverend Rachael Hayes (Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst), Reverend Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina, and Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association.

Signatures came from the following states and countries:

Ohio, New York, Alabama, California, North Carolina, Texas, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon and overseas in the United Kingdom.

All comments from our endorsers:

We are all God’s children, without qualification! I join with interfaith partners in condemning Texas House Bill 25 as discriminatory and contrary to God’s embrace of all.

Reverend Michael Livingston Interim Senior Minister, The Riverside Church, NYC

I stand in solidarity with transgender children. All God’s children should be treated with love, respect, dignity and equity.

Mojubaolu O. Okome, Professor of Political Science, Brooklyn College City University of New York

Love and support from Wisconsin for the cause!! It is sad that politicians continue to hurt children all in the name of politics.

 Zachary Bennett

The grassroots Christian members of Faithful America love and support our country’s transgender youth as being made in the image of God – each and every one. We call on Governor Abbott and other Texas lawmakers to recognize the inherent dignity of these young individuals and allow them to play on the proper sports teams that match their God-given identity.

Reverend Nathan Empsall

Let kids be who they are.

Terry Lombardi

Blessings to all as we continue the fight for our beloved transgender community.

Reverend Erin Wyma, Associate Minister of Next Generations

Let trans children be children.

Stuart Leung

It is my privilege to have walked beside a number of students as they wrestled with transitioning. I wholeheartedly support their personhood, and the internal, holy, voice which defines their true personhood.

Frances Nicholson, Retired California teacher and theater critic, current proud Presbyterian

This is a crucial moment for us to support transgender persons since they are under vicious assault by individuals and some elected officials.

Gary Richmond

We are all God’s children and we deserve to be treated as such.

Lorraine Burchall

I am transgender and I am a religious professional. Full Transgender inclusion is a tenet of my faith.

Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration

I am so grateful that people of faith are standing up for a community of people who need people to back them in the walk and seek justice for them…with them.

Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC

To persecute transgender youth is to persecute Christ himself.

Ross Murray, Deacon, GLAAD

As a long-time activist for racial, economic, and social justice since the late fifties (I am now 85), I heartily sign this petition.

Dr. Harold Kooden, Retired

The #1 value in our school is Tzelem Elohim – we are all made in the divine image, the #1 Jewish law is “save a life” I am signing as a Jew, parent, educator, colleague, and friend for both reasons.

Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him

Everyone we hurt and exclude is Christ. Fortunately, everyone we love and include is also Christ. Let’s get this right and be of loving service to one another.

Sean, parishioner West End Collegiate Church

The ability to play team sports was integral to becoming who I am. However, I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I’d been able to transition as a young person AND be able to engage in sports that aligned with my gender identity. Please don’t exclude transgender kids from those opportunities.

The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Sports promote confidence, self-awareness, physical and mental wellbeing, teamwork, and encourage growth, leadership, and engagement across backgrounds and experiences. To deny these opportunities to any child is harmful. Everyone is a child of God and should be treated as such.

Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship, Cathedral of Hope

Discriminating against transgender people (especially youth & children!) is not Christian. Defending them is.

Rosina Snow, Dir. of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC

I believe in inclusivity.

Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church 

I am a rabbi and the mom of a transgender child and a non-binary child. I know first hand from both seats how vital it is to protect trans children, whose lives are at stake.

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All

Every human carries God’s DNA as a child of God. God would not deny any of them health care!

Every child of God is loved by God unconditionally. Every child‚ every trans child‚ deserves respect, equal opportunity in life including sports!

Rev Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church Of Christ

Thank you for your continuing faith and work on behalf of our transgender youth, some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer

These young people are more at risk and deal with much pain because of people’s lack of acceptance. Provide them with acceptance and opportunities.

Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran

Transgender Rights are Human Rights.

Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth

As a church community, we welcome all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe that trans women and girls are female and trans men and boys are male and that God loves them as such. We aspire to create an affirming space where transgender and non-binary people feel welcome and loved and where intersectional diversity is normalized and embraced.

Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

All children deserve to be protected. Any law that would diminish a child’s right to thrive in school and sports must be challenged as being anti-democratic.

Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies

Our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being, including children and LGBTQIA+ children.

Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church                 

As an educator for many years in many different roles, I have always tried to embrace the diversity we have always had in education. We have not always served those differences well. This is an opportunity to help all students achieve to their fullest ability.

Patricia Mae MacArthur, New Hope UU

Sports done well are more than a venue for dominance. Kids learn teamwork, belonging, heart, and so many other valuable lessons. Trans kids deserve to learn these things, and their cisgender teammates will learn them more fully when everyone gets to participate.

Rev. Rachael Hayes, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst

Every child can and should have the support they need to thrive. Across faith and place, we celebrate the inherent dignity and worth of transgender youth and urge our leaders to do the same. No child should feel unsafe or unwelcome at school because of who they are.

Katy Joseph, Director of Policy & Advocacy Interfaith Alliance

This law should be abolished immediately.

Mr. George Smith, Cathedral of Hope

I support transgender children.

Dr. Katherine Ellis

TransEpiscopal stands with all trans/nonbinary youth and their families in the midst of legislative efforts like this one that seek to keep us from living and flourishing as our authentic selves.

Cameron Partridge, TransEpiscopal Steering Committee Member

Lake Street Church supports the right of all children to access the activities they are passionate about in affirming and dignified ways

Jillian Westerfield, Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston

Governor Greg Abbott, know that people of faith stand with our Transgender siblings and that the God we know would welcome all children to come live, laugh and play.

Rev. Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries

Calling a special session to target transgender youth brings immorality to a new level. Although Gov. Abbott and his allies have used God and Christian faith to justify this psychological terrorism, let me be clear. God loves all her children. Period.

Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, Founding Executive Director Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative

A healthy society is governed by love and action.

LaSonya Thompson, Executive Producer InterFaith Film & Music Festival

Let the children play together.

Mx. Sulkiro Song, HA:N UMC

Let Trans Kid Play!

M.K. Mcclaskey

Every child deserves equal rights.

Crystal Walcutt, Regional Commissioner AYSO 8/A/1597

We need to support ALL children!!!

Cheryl Iroka, Church School – Teacher The Riverside Church In The City Of New York

All children have a right to participate in sports.

Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association