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I had a wonderful experience today in church and want to share it. In our Bishopric Meeting, our Bishop mentioned, without much detail, talking with a transgender member in our ward: a biological male who identifies and dresses as a female and has changed her name officially to a female name. Our Bishop referred to this member as “she” – and our discussion focused on how we as a leadership team could help her be as active as possible, including what callings would be appropriate. There was no hint of judgment or uneasiness or repulsion or any other negative reaction – and no disagreement or questions about what to call her. She was referred to as Sister _______ by everyone.
In Fast & Testimony meeting, this member bore her testimony. She mentioned having a difficult, painful life and told everyone she was transgender. She said she has a testimony that God loves her and everyone else for who they are. It was a powerful, simple, wonderful testimony – especially given our earlier discussion.
This won’t be easy. There are policy issues that make it difficult. However, I know our ward will support her, no matter how long she stays each week.
These are the kind of moments that bring me great joy – and contribute to my conviction that grassroots change will result in good things at higher levels, even if those results can’t be immediate throughout the entire church. Leadership roulette dictates that this would have been different in some wards, but I am convinced it would have been the same in many others.
I am happy tonight.
:clap: :clap: :clap: For clarification when does church discipline come into the picture? If there’s gender reassignment surgery? As to callings I assume Primary and SS are off the table but library, RS callings not involving teaching, or activities committees would be ok. It will be interesting what your SP and area authority seventy have to say. The “gender is eternal” part of the POF might need some reinterpretation. Am happy too. Without derailing, a sister who I really admire as being one of the most capable and intelligent people I know in our Ward told me our Sunday that our teachers’s councils are her favorite Sundays of all. Nice to know I can contriute something while not being full on in the church. Back to the transgender discussion though,. Don’t want to derail but i was happy on Sunday too.
Glad the person was able to share their pain and I hope people understand that genetics chose her, and that these genetic differences can cause people a lot of pain. I hope the Ward makes the journey better for her, and not worse.
GB, unfortunately, official action is required if reassignment surgery occurs. Lacking that, there still are issues that need to be considered (particularly with regard to other members’ sensibilities and concerns), and we are trying to anticipate and help mitigate those issues.
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