How can I be Christian and Transgender

[Clarity]

I'm sure this probably get asked a bit, but last day this question has been burning in my mind. I've recently started to come to terms with myself being transgender, but I'm still having a hard time about worry whether God will accept me. I spent years of my life fighting against these thoughts, praying that God would take them away from me. Though I have managed to suppress these feelings for up to a month at a time in the past, my prayers for them to go away for good never seemed to get fully answered and the desires would return. I'm just right now trying to find some sort of reassurance that I'm doing that right thing by being open about these desires and that I won't face condemnation for changing my sex should it come to that.

I'm also very worried about how my church is going to treat me. I've recently joined a church where I'm starting to fit in well with the congregation. I've only recently started playing piano for the traditional church service. I've always enjoyed playing music and am very afraid of being kicked out of my church and losing the chance to do something that I very much love doing.

So, any answers would be nice. Could someone point me to scripture that will help me find the answers I'm looking for? Also, some help on how to deal with the church situation when it comes to being public about my feelings would be great as well.

[Penny Gurl]

Yukkiko, I grew up Roman Catholic and remember endless days spent praying for God to make me 'right' one way or another.  I remember searching the bible looking for an answer... not one verse said 'thou shall not be pretty' and I realized that as part of God's plan he created each of us with freel will, and the ability to listen to our hearts.  Now I know Christians come in many flavors and don't go as hard line as the Catholic church, but just remember if someone chooses to walk the path of Christ then they need to have their heart and mind open. Saddly it's not always the case, but Christ didn't discriminate to ANYONE.  I may not fallow my faith much anymore but the values don't change.  If someone is using Christ to hold you back then they are the ones who have strayed from his teachings.

[aleon515]

Galations 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

This is the seminal and arguably most important work of Paul (who is otherwise NOT much of a liberal). Jesus never said anything re: transgender (actual there is nothing in the bible re: transgender. The statement re: not "crossdressing" is in a book that is full of statements we would never follow today like not wearing clothes made of different fibers.

Btw, you should try a church that is open and affirming, or whatever the term might be. For instance, Episcopal, United Church of Christ, or misc. United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, ELA Lutheran, etc.
I am not much of Christian but did enjoy belonging to a very inclusive United Church of Christ. My pastor was an openly gay man.


This is a really good reference: http://www.drbecky.com/lynnmont.html


--Jay Jay

[Amazon D]

For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

eunuchs = transgender   just different words for today

[Clarity]

Thanks for the replies, they really did help. I am still in the whole early stages of even beginning to accept myself as being transgender. After having recently come out to an understanding friend, I have been praying quite a bit more than usual. I've been basically praying in hopes that God's grace is bigger than this. I know that I'm gonna have to learn the scripture to defend myself and pointing out that we're not bound by the laws of Moses but rather the covenant of the lamb of God. I know if someone has problems with me wearing a dress, I can always ask them if they're sure that their clothing isn't made of mixed fabrics.

As for finding a church... I currently am part of a United Methodist Church. I've found that the Methodist church has a pretty good mix of liberals and conservatives. I might also considering checking out United Church of Christ. My roommate attends church at one of their locations and has mentioned that they are openly confirming of gays.

[aleon515]

All UCCs are not ONA (Open and Affirming), IOW, they haven't made their own statements to decide to take this on. I am not sure altogether what this means but you can check this out as usually it will be on the church's website. UCC is congregational and run by its members who can decide what they want to.


Here is the statement of the general synod's statement. I don't think we had any openly trans people in our church when I went there (and I didn't know then). I can't imagine it would have been an issue.
"Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions."
http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html
This explains the position as well as giving resources re: welcoming congregations movement (not all UCC).

Personally I think I would feel uncomfortable if I had to explain my gender expression in church.
If you want or need to fight those battles elsewhere, that's another thing.


--Jay Jay

[MrTesto]

...
As for finding a church... I currently am part of a United Methodist Church. I've found that the Methodist church has a pretty good mix of liberals and conservatives. ...

You might wish to check out David Weekley's story and his book. He's an FTM, ordained United Methodist minister. See http://www.shermanswilderness.org/

[aleon515]

Good idea to refer to a book or movie or something. This is a really neat film "Call Me Malcolm" (about 90-120 minutes I think, in pieces on youtube) of a ftm in a UCC church. He becomes ordained but there is more to it than that. Lots of interviews with various people including two mtf people. More a discussion of his journey than really discussing a lot of details of being ftm.
Call Me Malcolm (2005 Transgender Female-to-Male Documentary) Part 1 of 7

--Jay Jay