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Churches or Christian religions that accept Transgender?

Started by Jennifer300, February 28, 2019, 06:50:20 AM

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Jennifer300

I know many churches simply call being Transgender a sin.  Some say they accept all people, but being Transgender is not a sin, and I would like to find a church or Christian religion that isn't just "tolerant" and allowing me to attend only to try and "pray away the gay".  I would like to find one that understands being Transgender is no different than anyone else and just be able to attend without being preached at to change my natural born gender. 

Methodist may be since they just appointed a Transgender deacon.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/06/07/the-united-methodist-church-just-appointed-a-transgender-deacon/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0f27e39848ab

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sarah1972

You can see if the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) is in your area. They are very strong about LGBTQIA+ inclusiveness.

Sarah

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Michelle_P

I would second MCC as a welcoming and accepting church.

There are also many welcoming and accepting Unitarian Universalist congregations. This religion supports individuals on their own spiritual quests, and is quite open and helpful to those exploring their own belief systems.  I know members who consider themselves pagan practitioners, along with many other belief systems, and even agnostics and atheists.

Unity Church is a New Thought Christian organization, and the congregations I am aware of are all welcoming and accepting.

Be careful of some traditional faiths that hang a 'Welcome' banner for LGBTQ folks. While I was welcomed, it was made very clear to my that I was in a "state of sin", which they would work with me to "cure".  No, thank you. Been there, forced to do that, and still recovering...
Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.

My personal transition path included medical changes.  The path others take may require no medical intervention, or different care.  We each find our own path. I provide these dates for the curious.
Electrolysis - Hours in The Chair: 238 (8.5 were preparing for GCS, five clearings); On estradiol patch June 2016; Full-time Oct 22, 2016; GCS Oct 20, 2017; FFS Aug 28, 2018; Stage 2 labiaplasty revision and BA Feb 26, 2019
Michelle's personal blog and biography
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Jerri

I was not preached to about me in a vineyard church here, not sure about other places though. I find many non-denominational churches at least are supporting for me to go have a moment of prayer without to much judgement. Before a guy I knew was a youth minister and was allowed to be very active in the church but it does not seem to be the same now. My belief keeps drawing me back into every church in every town I go to just to see. for me that has worked the best not so much any specific denomination but the people at each place (the real church) are what makes or breaks it for my support and commitment to a specific building. there seems to be plenty of gods work that needs done everywhere. Have you tried to reach out to a support group in your area to see if anyone may have a local suggestion?
one day, one step, with grace it will be forward today
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Chloe

Quote from: Jennifer300 on February 28, 2019, 06:50:20 AM. . . isn't just "tolerant" and allowing me to attend only to try and "pray away the gay"

         It's not so much "denomination" as who's leading, actively running the place at the time. Recently posted a link to my Catholic school's discrimination policy and clearly states "gender identity" & "gender expression" are included. My therapist Erin Swenson is an ordained Presbyterian Church minister who also happens to be "transgender" and my local church, associated and known as "Community Christian Church", stresses "impurfect people only" (mis-spelling deliberate) and talks about real life issues like "judging people" and "loneliness" . . .

Chief Pastor, a relatively young guy, knows I'm transgender due past divorce drama and gives me "hugs" regardless  8)
"But it's no use now," thought poor Alice, "to pretend be two people!
"Why, there's hardly enough of me left to make one respectable person!"
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jkredman

I don't know if it's the church or the people.

I'm an active Roman Catholic.  I want to stay that way.

The women we're close to in our parish see that I am slowly changing.  The men haven't noticed.  That said I have pulled back from the men's activities and only do bi-gendered activities.

No one has said a word or asked a questions.

The women who have noticed generally like the earrings and longer hair.

Kate


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Kate
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CindyLouFromCO

United Church of Christ.

They have many transgender pastors and have a lot of pro transgender literature on their website.

UCC is very traditional.  You're not going to go and see arms in the air and people talking in weird voices.

It's often referred to as the NPR church.

Also Unitarian.

I've taken what others have offered, so now I'm giving back.
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GinaG

I am in the Epicopal Chuch. It is generally very affirming.msome diocese arent. In Ohio. Mamy gay, lesbian and some trans priest. Bishops too.  In Ohio the signs say "God loves you, no exceptions!"
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pamelatransuk

Quote from: jkredman on March 04, 2019, 03:56:43 PM
I don't know if it's the church or the people.

I'm an active Roman Catholic.  I want to stay that way.

The women we're close to in our parish see that I am slowly changing.  The men haven't noticed.  That said I have pulled back from the men's activities and only do bi-gendered activities.

No one has said a word or asked a questions.

The women who have noticed generally like the earrings and longer hair.

Kate

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hello Kate and CindyLou

I am also a practicing Catholic and as I am 13 months on HRT and showing signs, I strongly suspect some parishioners and possibly the priest have noticed. Noone has commented to me on my appearance or made any comment about me to me.

However several people in general conversation have stated they disapprove of LGBT matters and some have stated they are tolerant.

I am inclined to agree that this is not really a matter of denomination but more so a question of:

1. The major players in the church - those taking the lead - logically but not necessarily the priest and the active parishioners who set the tone and approach.

2. Whether traditional or evangelical. I find the latter may put their arms in the air and talk strangely as you say. It is often these "Born again" people who are most opposed and judgemental.

3. The general age of the attendees. I am 64 and most attendees are over 50 and I must admit that the attitude of the minority those under 50 is usually the more understanding.

So what shall I do when I go fulltime in Summer? I have no choice but to leave my Catholic parish then and either:

a) Not attend church for up to a year and then return to a different Catholic Church or
b) As soon as I go fulltime, look for a suitable understanding Church by visiting essentially "trial and error".

I hope everyone finds a suitable home to worship God who as we know loves us all and would never discriminate on grounds of gender identity.

Hugs

Pamela  xx


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Anne Blake

My partner and I were in a conservative evangelical Presbyterian church for 32 years when I came out to the pastor and were requested to leave. It was devastating! After some searching we found a wonderful fully inclusive church in Denver. They are loosely connected to what could be called progressive evangelical churches. There are many progressive churches about that consider LGBTQ+ to be part of life and thus blessed by God, not a sin to be prayed away. I would estimate that perhaps a quarter to a third of our congregation lives on the Rainbow spectrum and it is such a joy to worship with like minded accepting family.  My new church is called Highlands Church and I am sure that our pastors would be very open to queries about how to find like minded churches around the country. PM me for details if this is of interest to you.

Tia Anne
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jkredman

Quote from: pamelatransuk on March 05, 2019, 04:54:26 AM
Hello Kate and CindyLou

I am also a practicing Catholic and as I am 13 months on HRT and showing signs, I strongly suspect some parishioners and possibly the priest have noticed. Noone has commented to me on my appearance or made any comment about me to me.

However several people in general conversation have stated they disapprove of LGBT matters and some have stated they are tolerant.

I am inclined to agree that this is not really a matter of denomination but more so a question of:

1. The major players in the church - those taking the lead - logically but not necessarily the priest and the active parishioners who set the tone and approach.

2. Whether traditional or evangelical. I find the latter may put their arms in the air and talk strangely as you say. It is often these "Born again" people who are most opposed and judgemental.

3. The general age of the attendees. I am 64 and most attendees are over 50 and I must admit that the attitude of the minority those under 50 is usually the more understanding.

So what shall I do when I go fulltime in Summer? I have no choice but to leave my Catholic parish then and either:

a) Not attend church for up to a year and then return to a different Catholic Church or
b) As soon as I go fulltime, look for a suitable understanding Church by visiting essentially "trial and error".

I hope everyone finds a suitable home to worship God who as we know loves us all and would never discriminate on grounds of gender identity.

Hugs

Pamela  xx


Pamela:

Please know that my prayer is that you (first, nor I since I'm a year behind you) have to make that decision!!!!

Kate


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Kate
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pamelatransuk

Thank you Kate. I shall pray for you also.

May I wish you happiness on your transition journey as a whole.

Hugs

Pamela


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jkredman

Quote from: jkredman on March 05, 2019, 07:35:01 PM

Pamela:

Please know that my prayer is that you (first, nor I since I'm a year behind you) have to make that decision!!!!

Kate


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That sure was grammatically incorrect...

Pamela, I pray you DO NOT, nor I have to make a decision between our faith and living!


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Kate
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