Celebrating a Trans Person in Church

Matters of faith are often at the heart of an individual’s struggle to affirm a transgender person in their life. Matters of faith are often at the heart of a trans person living true to who they are, or in leaving their faith behind in order to live true to who they are. 

It can be complicated.

But it doesn’t have to be. Tomorrow night, we’ll be hosting a live (and free!) webinar called “God or Child” to talk about those faith concerns and hear from two families to learn from their experiences. Register here.

Some faith communities are welcoming, not only inviting members of the trans community and their families in, but celebrating those beautiful trans lives. In those churches and congregations, a trans person is recognized as a gift from God, worthy of gratitude and celebration. This is one of those stories. 

Below is the account of a Renaming Ceremony held for a young trans man in his church. Come back tomorrow to hear more from his mother and pastor about their personal faith journeys that empowered them to celebrate him and shower him with love.

Pastor Darin — First, it is important to mention that part of our ceremony was developed by the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, the LGBTQ+ advocacy group that started in the American Baptist denomination in the 1970’s. So, I didn’t create everything we did myself. 

Both the First and New Testaments contain stories in which a person encounters the Divine. The result of this encounter is a radical change that empowers the person to both become who they were created by God to be and to do the work of justice God wills to be done.  That radical change resulting in discovering true identity and divine purpose is symbolized by a change of name.  Abram becomes Abraham in Hebrew scripture for example.  And Saul becomes Paul in Christian scripture.  So, part of our renaming ceremony was a litany for the entire congregation that celebrated these ancient stories of God inspiring and change and discovery so that Andrew could see his place in this long proud tradition. 

Theologically this was a clear statement: Andrew is a unique gift of God for our church and the wider Christian community because he embodies faith in God in a special way.  We are all called to grow and change, to be saved, to repent, to be born again.  All of this language that attempts to explain that a life in relationship with the Divine is a life of transformation.  Andrew embodied transformation and faithfulness to God. 

We included a candle-lighting ceremony.  Again, light is a special symbol in the Christian faith (and other faiths as well.)  Jesus, we are told in the gospel of John, is the light of the world.  And Jesus encouraged his disciples to be light in the world.  So, Andrew lit a candle and shared that light with his family, and then that light was shared to every person in the congregation as a symbol both of their affirmation that they accept and affirm him and that they are open to receive the light that he has to offer.  Our hope was that to this day and forever, if Andrew ever feels alone, he will remember a sanctuary filled with light from all the people who love him, appreciate him and believe in him. 

Finally, there was the giving of gifts.  One person fashioned a key out of wood to symbolize Andrew opening a door to a new expression in his life.  We bought him a Bible and engraved it with his name.  We printed a certificate from the church that affirmed that we recognized his name.  Then there was a picture frame that every member and friend at our church signed with a blessing for Andrew. 

The point of all this for both Andrew and his family was for the church pledge to love and celebrate Andrew for the rest of his life.  No matter what happens in the rest of the world, our church will be a safe place where Andrew and his family are loved and appreciated.

Mom Beth — Pastor Darin was the one who made it a beautiful, meaningful ceremony for Andrew and our family. I can say I am humbled and grateful to see every seat in the church filled to show their love and support for Andrew. Pastor Darin’s renaming ceremony has spread across the U.S., as he won a national award for the community work he has done within a small church, specifically around supporting a renaming ceremony for Andrew. Other churches across the states have called inquiring how he and the church have supported the LGBTQ+ community.