Faith leaders strategize for transgender rights at Newton forum

[Butterfly]

Faith leaders strategize for transgender rights at Newton forum
Bay Windows
By Ethan Jacobs
staff reporter
Thursday Jan 29, 2009


http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=86528


Somerville state Rep. Denise Provost told attendees at a Jan. 21 forum organized by the Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality (ICTE) that they could make a powerful case to lawmakers in favor of transgender rights by appealing to their faith. The forum, held at Hebrew College in Newton, was the first major event organized by ICTE, which is part of a coalition advocating for the passage of legislation this session to add trans-inclusive language to the state's non-discrimination and hate crimes laws. Provost said she was moved to watch how warmly her own church, an Episcopal congregation, embraced a transgender man who had originally joined the congregation as a woman, and she said she believes stories like these can move her colleagues.