ONA: It's About Transgender Inclusion, Too!

In 1997, The Coalition changed its name from the “United Church Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns” to “The United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns.” We did this to clarify our “UCCness,” our welcome to those who are bisexual and transgender, and to call ourselves to ongoing, deepening understanding of these identities and appreciation for the lives and gifts of persons who are bisexual and transgender. In 2003, the UCC General Synod called for full inclusion of transgender persons in the life of the United Church of Christ.

The Coalition urges all UCC settings to include transgender persons (or those of all “gender identities/expressions”) in their Open and Affirming processes and statements. Joanne Herman, a transgender activist, member of Old South Church in Boston, MA and the ONA Task Force of the MA Conference, speaks eloquently about the importance of this welcome.

My wife Barbara and I had both been raised UCC by our families, but had not been members of any church in our thirty years of marriage. When she started losing her battle with carcinoid cancer in the spring of 2005, however, we felt we could not transit the time remaining without a stronger spiritual connection. Yet, as a transgender woman, I wondered if any church would accept me. There were lots of stories circulating in the transgender community about parishioners in various denominations who had been cast out of their congregations upon disclosing their transgender status. Regardless, I felt I needed to try.

In looking around the web for a UCC church near us, I quickly came upon Old South Church in Boston. Old South had been welcoming lesbians and gay men for quite a while, which I took as a good sign since I have usually found myself welcome in similar places. Still, Old South’s “Note on the Inclusive Dimensions of God’s Grace” did not specifically mention gender identity and expression. We decided to give it a try anyway, even though other transgender people might have given up at this point.

We were in tears during much of our first service. It was strongly meaningful in so many ways. Could we become regulars? I needed to confirm that I would be welcome. So in the following week, I met with then Associate Minister, Jennifer Mills-Knutsen. She said that Old South’s statement including individuals of “every sexual identity” was meant to include trangender folks, too. She cautioned me, though, that I might be the first one of “me” in the congregation!

Barbara and I became Old South regulars, and we loved not only the church and the service, but also its people. No one seemed fazed by two women who were so clearly a couple, and we felt even more welcoming energy toward us as my transgender status came to the fore.

In October of 2005, we became members. I was surprised how emotional I became when I heard Senior Minister, Nancy Taylor, pronounce my name from the pulpit. It was a recognition of my new name and true gender in the eyes of God, let alone all of the members of the congregation. How wonderfully reaffirming!
Barbara’s last time in Old South was the day she became a member. From then until her passing in January of 2006, the congregation provided extraordinary support for the two of us as Barbara’s health failed her. They continued to watch over me, too, as I adjusted to my new existence as a widow.

Shortly after Barbara’s death, Old South’s annual report was published. Imagine my surprise when the Rev. Taylor called out as one of the highlights of the year Old South’s welcoming its first transgender member! All of my doubts about being welcome in a house of God are now gone for good.

For the benefit of other transgender people looking for a spiritual home, however, I would urge UCC settings to be more direct in your welcome. A welcome only to individuals of all “sexual orientations” is interpreted as a welcome to those who are lesbian, gay, and bisexual (as well as heterosexuals); it doesn’t address gender identity and expression. An additional welcome to “transgender” individuals is much better, but could be interpreted as excluding those whose presentation does not conform to the gender binary (man/woman). To extend the broadest welcome possible, say instead that you welcome individuals of all “sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.” It will be much appreciated.

To go deeper into this topic, please review The Coalition's transgender resource list.