The Vatican has gender wrong, too

[LostInTime]

http://www.washblade.com/2006/6-23/view/columns/smith.cfm

The Bible says very little about transgender issues, so why is the Catholic Church so intolerant?

In a move that would surprise very few, the Vatican has spoken out against the government of Tuscany for providing care for its transsexual residents at no cost. This follows pronouncements in the recent past banning transsexuals from religious orders and criticizing the adoption of a child by a Spanish trans woman — not to mention an ongoing advocacy against same-sex marriage.

It would seem the Vatican is still stinging from having a pope named Joan way back in the 800s.  And it did take them several hundred years to apologize to Galileo.

Click thru on the link to read the entire article.

[HelenW]

It doesn't surprise me at all when I hear of another manifestaion of the Catholic Church's trans and homophobia.

I think it boils down to their belief that sex, unless it's in the service of procreating more little tithe paying catholics, is immoral and wrong.  The GLBT community, in their eyes, I suppose, do not have kids but do have sex for the pleasure of it.  That makes them an abomination, dontcha know.

Of course there's also the rabid transphobia of Paul McHugh  who was instrumental in influencing the Vatican declaration that transsexuality is madness along with all the other prohibitions against us.  (This is the same guy that killed the gender reassignment practice at Johns Hopkins in the late 1970's  and bragged about it too.   To top it all off he is also on our $#@%&! President Bush's Council on Bioethics.  Two of a kind, I guess.)

(I REALLY dislike those guys!!)

helen

[Chaunte]

I have enjoyed reading Gwen Smith's editorials for a long time - much longer than my journey.  I decided to write to Gwen and share my 2 cents worth of thoughts.  I have pasted below a copy of the email I sent her.

Chaunte

++++++++++++++++

Dear Gwen,

I enjoy your editorials. I hear a very soft-spoken yet strong-willed person every time I read your article.

I am a practicing Roman Catholic.  If I keep practicing, someday I may get it right. :-D  I am also starting my journey of transition from male to female.

Some of my friends online have pointed out that the interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:5 by many Christian groups, including the Catholic Church, is incorrect and too narrow.  A few interpretations include don't pretend to be a woman to avoid your civic duty.  Another thought is that Deuteronomy was forbidding cross-dressing because it was part of a pagan fertility rite.

Who best to answer a question about the Old Testament / Torah than a rabbi?  Rabbi Tilsen interprets Deuteronomy as trying to prevent illicit affairs and he makes a very convincing case for this interpretation.  I have pasted the link below.

http://www.beki.org/crossdress.html

Unfortunately, the Catholic Church tends to have a very narrow view of sex and gender, not unlike we Americans.  Sex is for procreation.  Gender roles are set to preserve the family.  Since same-sex sex cannot procreate, it is wrong. Changing ones physical sex to match their psychological gender means that person also can no longer procreate. Thus we become evil in the sight of the Lord!

Supposedly.

I think Dolly Parton said it best from her song "Travelin Thru" from the movie TransAmerica:

"God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru"

Being transgendered / transexual is not a choice.  This is how God made me.  This is the journey God has set for me.  I don't know why or how, but it is who I am. 

The question for me is this: Do I follow the path the Almighty has set before me, or do I listen to a group of old men in black skirts who are afraid?  God's will or old-men's will?

For me, the choice is simple.

Peace,

Chaunte Marie O'Connor

"Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru"

[Tania]

vatican is catholic like Pop like that, dont care about you man or woman only christian., that's ok. tania

[spike]

Tania
FYI I dont buy your attempt at crucifying the English language so you can get away with ignorant, rude comments.