As a long time Episcopalian, I have embraced Anglicanism. I have always found it an inclusive, accepting faith. I have known many open and closeted LGB's in the faith. All have been accepted.
When I returned to the church after many years of separation because of my transition, the minister and I had a discussion about me and my gender. The very first thing she told me was that God did not see me as any different. I was the same in his eyes as I was from the day I was born. Given that, she accepted me without issue. And another candidate for the ECW.
She went on to say that there would be others in the congregation who could not accept me. We are called the Chosen Frozen for a reason. I replied that I wasn't there to force myself on anyone. I didn't wear a sign around my neck proclaiming I was trans. I am there for the same reason everyone else is at church. For worship, communion, and fellowship. About half the congregation, if not more, know of my status. I let people find out as either rumor or statement. Check my blog for an interesting occurrence when granddaughter was baptized.
The people there see myself and my partner, Pat, as lesbians. There are a couple of gay partners in the congregation as well. There is no fuss, no fury.
That is why it pains me greatly to see such an evangelical, and unacceptable tirade come out of an Anglican site. Now it may be as right wing and unaccepting as many of the other Christian right sites that are out there.
But from my own personal experience, based on many years of attendance, the Anglican faith is one of the most accepting and inclusive faiths I have seen. I can only hope that this site represents an incredible minority of people.
-Sandy
