I went to the evening service, and was approached by a gentleman who asked me if I was new there. I told him that I was and he got me a new member folder. But for some reason he told me about the 'men's group'  instead of the 'woman's group', and he pointed towards the men's room instead of the ladies room, which I thought was a little strange. Then a lady came over and took me for a tour, and she too pointed towards the men's room as well.

Then she introduced me to a congregational member, and she told me that I looked like someone she knew. I told her that I tend to have a face that people seem to think that they recognize. Then afterward, I went up to the ladies room and slipped in, and as soon as I sat in the stall, I heard the door open and someone called out to me and told me that I wasn't allowed to use the ladies room.

Then I went into the sanctuary and the service started and after the second song, we took a little time to greet people, so I went around greeting and introducing myself to people as 'Gina'. A lot of people didn't even recognize me. Just a small handful did, so I felt good. But at least I didn't get any bad looks form those that ddid recognize me. It was almost like they already knew what I was up to, and they just accepted it.   

So glad they accepted it. Mine told me to get an asbestos umbrella for all the fire and brimstone I was going to get hit with! They must have put up a prayer force field or something on the door though. Oh well, their loss! After all those years of faithful tithing I expected more from them. 

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on December 01, 2013, 03:59:10 AM
So glad they accepted it. Mine told me to get an asbestos umbrella for all the fire and brimstone I was going to get hit with! They must have put up a prayer force field or something on the door though. Oh well, their loss! After all those years of faithful tithing I expected more from them. 

Y'know Jessica, that's really so strange that a church would turn against their own congregation like that. When I was talking with my pastor, he told me that there would be no problem. It's God's house, and He doesn't turn away no one. But to be honest, I think that maybe I really am that passable and maybe most of the congregation didn't recognize me, since I really only know maybe 20 people personally, and I was greeting strangers. 

My church has been a place of extreme refuge and support for me over the past few years, and it's so good to read that you're getting support too Gina.

Jessica, I'm so sorry you've run into this. I don't understand when the faithful do things like that.

I was considering coming out at the church that my wife and I used to attend but I realized that there is simply too much baggage and too many questions to make that work. So I've disappeared from that church. I went to a MCC church as Eva Marie and I think I like it.  One of the ministers is trans and she was showing me around and pointed out where the ladies room is so I had none of that bathroom difficulty you encountered.

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience Gina. Maybe someday the church will "get" us.

hi Gina
congrats on going to church please dont feel alone with bad church events
the church that I was helping here as a youth minister for a program they offered to kids with problems that they were having issues to work through. My first coming out was to the minister there i expected to be asked to step down but having done really good work expected some acceptance from him as well. It did not go so well, so I explained to him about our responsibility to offer love, support, and spiritual guidance to all of gods children. and then had to find another church. all and all it turned out fine but it sure seems that many are very quick to pass judgement. I never have gone back as Jerri, maybe someday
xo sistah
Jerri

Quote from: Constance on December 01, 2013, 09:29:42 PM
My church has been a place of extreme refuge and support for me over the past few years, and it's so good to read that you're getting support too Gina.

Jessica, I'm so sorry you've run into this. I don't understand when the faithful do things like that.

Y'know Constance, it is nice to have the support from my church, and not be bothered by negative people. There was one lady that I knew during the meet and greet that I had felt clocked, but it was just for a passing moment. 

Quote from: Eva Marie on December 01, 2013, 10:00:30 PM
I was considering coming out at the church that my wife and I used to attend but I realized that there is simply too much baggage and too many questions to make that work. So I've disappeared from that church. I went to a MCC church as Eva Marie and I think I like it.  One of the ministers is trans and she was showing me around and pointed out where the ladies room is so I had none of that bathroom difficulty you encountered.

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience Gina. Maybe someday the church will "get" us.

Y'know Eva, you probably did the best thing by going to a different church instead of rocking the boat by staying at the same church that your wife goes to. The bathroom issue is something that I'll have to discuss with my pastor, and if he says no, then I will have to be the only woman using the men's room. LOL. But I will refuse to use the urinals. LOL It's just not a ladylike thing to do. 

Quote from: Jerri on December 01, 2013, 10:13:27 PM
hi Gina
congrats on going to church please dont feel alone with bad church events
the church that I was helping here as a youth minister for a program they offered to kids with problems that they were having issues to work through. My first coming out was to the minister there i expected to be asked to step down but having done really good work expected some acceptance from him as well. It did not go so well, so I explained to him about our responsibility to offer love, support, and spiritual guidance to all of gods children. and then had to find another church. all and all it turned out fine but it sure seems that many are very quick to pass judgement. I never have gone back as Jerri, maybe someday
xo sistah
Jerri

I know exactly what you mean Jerri. People are always quick to judge others. A situation like this happened in my church a few years ago, and it caused the entire family to leave. Just because one member of the family found out that a person (unrelated) was starting a group and he had been apparently accosted for child molestation, and the group was for young adults, not children. The pastor was allowing him to go ahead with the group and the family left because they felt it was wrong.

I saw my therapist today and I told him about my going to church, and he was pleased to hear about it.

Then I told him that I had given my sister my coming out letter and she told me yesterday that she still feels the same way as she had before and that I'll get no support from her, but it's my life. Now all I have to worry about is my other sister's opinion.