Church's transgender pastor grateful for life "beyond my wildest dreams"

[Shana A]

Church's transgender pastor grateful for life "beyond my wildest dreams"
By Electa Draper
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/14/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17608273

Rev. Malcolm Himschoot knows about profound transformation.

Born female, Himschoot chose as a young adult to become male, despite fears he would be lonely, unemployable and cast aside by other Christians.

He made the decision, when 21, that he wouldn't take his own life. To Himschoot, living meant making a leap of faith into gender transition.

He is now the married father of 3-year-old twins and the new pastor of a mainline, albeit liberal, Protestant church in Douglas County.

[Shana A]

Mar201115
Angela Dallara, GLAAD's National News/Transgender Advocacy Fellow

Transgender Minister Finds Faith and Support as New Leader of Parish Community

http://glaadblog.org/2011/03/15/transgender-minister-finds-faith-and-support-as-new-leader-of-parish-community/

Electa Draper of the Denver Post profiled Protestant minister Rev. Malcolm Himschoot in an inspiring article published Monday, exploring a rare but important discussion about religion and transgender identity.

Rev. Himschoot was installed as a full-time pastor at the Parker United Church of Christ last night in Denver, Colorado. He struggled as a young adult to come to terms with being transgender while simultaneously trying to maintain a close relationship with God and fellow Christians. He worked as a journalist for some time, but found more fulfillment in counseling and helping people than quoting and writing about them. He realized he wanted to be a minister after volunteering with orphans in Guatemala. "When you struggle for a more just world, that's a profound place to encounter God's spirit," he said. He enrolled in theology school in 2000 and graduated in 2004, transitioning during his time in seminary, with the support of his school and church. He has since served in ministries in Denver and Minneapolis.