Posts Tagged ‘Gender Identity’
Q&A: Why This Texas Pastor is Standing Against Anti-LGBTQIA Legislation
For the past five months, as Texas legislators have aggressively pushed anti-LGBTQIA legislation, the faith community in Texas has been adamant about standing against such discriminatory legislation. The strength of faith leaders in the conversation is undeniable. Very often, anti-LGBTQIA legislation is proposed in the name of religion, so it is vital that affirming people of faith raise…
Read MoreEaster Through The Years: My Trans Resurrection Story
Growing up in an evangelical Christian home, my family was invested in maintaining certain Judeo-Christian holiday traditions. Easter Sunday was no exception; it was a day rooted in chocolate pastels, family dinner, and most notably for me: new accessories. Regardless of my gender assigned at birth, I’ve always loved accessories. I went through a time…
Read More4 Ways To Be A Better Ally
The Trump administration has been in power for just over two months. Many people are fearful that the social advantages won in recent times will be rolled back. Recently, the administration took gender identity and sexual orientation off of the 2020 census. The cause for concern for many people in our country and the future…
Read MoreGrowing Up Trans—Without Male Privilege
Trigger warning: discussion of suicide Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s comments about her understanding of what “transness” is set off a firestorm last month. In an interview, she said trans women live in the world with “privileges that the world accords to men” prior to transition. I’m not sure if Ms. Adichie made these statements based on…
Read MoreCisgender Solidarity With Black Trans Women
You would think that we, those of us belonging to the LGBTQ community of faith would be mourning you and conspiring towards how we can work to protect you and cherish you in our communities. However, the silence around your death, Chyna Gibson, is deafening. As a black queer cisgender woman, I know that pain…
Read MoreIt’s Up to Us (Always Has Been)
One of the most frustrating and emotionally and spiritually damaging aspects of Transgender justice work is the persistent confrontation with silence. There is always a moment when individuals, organizations of all kinds, family members or friends, communities of faith, and government entities have an opportunity to offer care, kindness and compassion into our lives as…
Read MoreAn Open Pastoral Letter To The Trans Community
Brothers, Sisters and Siblings, I see the posts. I see the words of hate people scrawl through the comments section, through the tweets and Facebooks status updates. I see the pictures of trans celebrities that get attacked and misgendered. I see the people standing outside of buildings with picket signs. I see the petitions and…
Read MoreYoung, Trans, and Afraid of the Bathroom
Editor’s Note: Today, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice made it clear that they will not uphold guidelines designed to help schools support transgender students. Our faith tells us trans students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect—this includes the ability to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with who they are.…
Read MoreReporting Sexual Assault, As A Queer Woman
Trigger warning: discussion of sexual assault, violence The incoming President of the United States has an awful history in regards to the sacred feminine. As Christians, we cannot always control the broader cultural climate (try as we will, and try as we must), but I encourage us to remember that whenever we move into and…
Read MoreI’m Transgender & I Don’t Need Your Stinking Mercy
I was a Catholic for over fifty years. I was president of the Altar Boys (how many women can say that?). I was involved with religious groups at my high school. I was a Eucharistic Minister. I played piano at Mass for over 25 years. I worked retreats for high school seniors and ran retreats…
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