Quote from: Cindy James on May 27, 2011, 04:19:57 AM
Hi Del
As you know I'm not religious, but your question begs a question.  Why should your gender affect what Church you go to? I presume by Church you mean religion? If the religion cannot accept you as you; why should you follow it?


Sorry,
I don't mean or want to be provocative.

Cindy

this is fantastic. and, it's a great question. if true christians follow the bible they would understand that jesus accepted everyone for who they were. matthew 19:19 "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." i think that speaks mountains.

the church i was going to was very accepting of everyone, and it didn't even fall under the "lgbt-accepting" category. it doesn't really matter what denomination you follow, you will always find open and closed minded people. however, most open minded churches do express their open mindedness in adverts etc.

I go to both a Unitarian Universalist (UUA) church and a Congregational Church (United Church of Christ: UCC). I'm out at both of these churches as Connie, the congregant formerly known as David. I've had positive experiences at both thus far, and I've met transwomen at both. But, San Mateo isn't exactly a small town.

If you consider a UCC church, you might want to be sure that the church has a "ONA" status of "Yes." ONA stands for Open and Affirming, and basically means that the church is BGLQT-friendly. That won't mean that the whole congregation is, of course, but the church leadership at least will be.

Cindy,
I am sorry but I missed your question.
Gender issues should not make a difference. The main focus of going to church should be to worship the good Lord.
But,
I was just wondering when I wrote the initial post because I do imagine some make other issues their primary focus. Sort of like the oneness Pentecostals make oneness and having every sermon dance around Acts 2:38 their focus. Like some of the Southern Baptists won't go beyond what the Southern Baptist International allows as doctrine.
Stuff like that just limits the word of God and keeps people from seeing the fullness of the Godhead in Christ.
I imagine there are some transgenders that make being transgender their focus above the word just as these cisgendered Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists esteem their governing bodies over the word. Lord knows there are some cisgendered prosperity types that esteem the televangelists over the word. If there wasn't Joyce Meyer and the rest of them that  preach contrary to sound doctrine wouldn't have gotten as rich and popular as they are.
Thanks for asking though.

By the way, I may disagree with transgender views but do believe in giving honor where it is due.
I see some transgenders here that love the good Lord even though they hate certain things about their lives.
For those who accept these things and push on in faith I find that admirable.
For those who live a life of hell waiting to try to rectify these problems I find that admirable as well.
More so than many straight and cisgendered people who esteem the things I noted above the word and look down on you all while doing so.

I love the Lord my G-d, king of Universe. My birth defect, due to a genetic mutation, like other things that happen in my life have nothing to do with G-d.

My G-d created the Universe with a set of rules to guide its unfolding. Some of those rules generate random events and imperfect life forms. I belive there is a reason for evrything, and the good Lord will reveal to us on a time of her choosing, until then I shall trust her and forge ahead doing good deeds, and worshiping my creator every day.

Shalom,

Kate`D

I go to United Church of Christ Seminary and they are VERY accepting. I would be safe to say over 60% of the students were LGBT. I am the only transgirl but we do have a transguy.

I am also Wiccan (I am interfaith) and they have been very accepting.

However it is correct that UCC churches are all uniquely different with them being a congregationalist church. My best advice to you is to call the church and ask if they are accepting of LGBT people. Some UCC does not have their Open and Affirming status but they are just as affirming. So always call them!

Quote from: Annah on June 22, 2011, 07:18:44 PM
Some UCC does not have their Open and Affirming status but they are just as affirming. So always call them!

Good point.

Quote from: Annah on June 21, 2011, 06:33:30 PM
Del, if a church is not accepting and embracing of its LGBT members and TS/TG members prior to going stealth, I would not want to associate with that church when I am in stealth.

I'm really big into embracing people no matter their journey

I totally agree with this. The church where I currently work is oh-so-not LGBT-friendly, and that really bothers me. But it's a short-term gig, and the local congregation of the church where Lia and I are members (Lutheran/ELCA) is very accepting.