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PREFACE

In 2012 my life’s journey brought me—a straight, nontransgender, middle-aged, middle-class minister— onto the staff of what was then a predominantly LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex) congregation. It turns out I was an answer to the pastor’s prayer that straight folks would start coming to the church so they could be more inclusive— which they now are!

It also turned out that this church was very inclusive of the transgender community. On any given Sunday, approximately 10 percent of our worshiping congregation fell somewhere under the transgender umbrella. We had trans men and trans women, cross-dressers, and those who identified as two-spirit and genderqueer. I quickly realized I needed to augment the seminary education I had received back in the 1980s to effectively minister to all my new congregants!

Consequently, I began listening to the stories of my transgender parishioners and attending conferences and support groups for gender variant individuals, that is, for those persons for whom the traditional categories “male” and “female” did not adequately define who they knew themselves to be. (I will define all these terms in chapters 1 and 2.) I read and studied and basically availed myself of any and every possible resource that would help me learn more about those who identified as gender variant. However, when I looked for books on what the Bible has to say about the transgender experience, I found very few. Consequently, I decided to write this book, based on what I have learned during these past four years.

I am deeply indebted to all the congregants and staff of that church, City of Light Atlanta, for welcoming me and freely sharing their journeys. I am especially grateful to the Rev. Dr. Paul Graetz for praying me into his congregation, nurturing my gifts, and opening many doors for me during the three years I was there.

I would also like to express deep appreciation to Rhonda Lee and all the members and significant others of Sigma Epsilon for their warm welcome and support.

My sincerest appreciation for the publishing staff at The Pilgrim Press—Tina, Julie, and Aimée—and to my wonderful copy editor, Kris. It has been a pleasure working with each of you!

Special thanks to those who have helped me with various aspects of creating this book: Gabrielle, Byron, Joanie, Darlene, Michael, Peterson, John, Larry, Dona, Bob, Sue, Cliff, Rhonda, Megan, Phoebe, Stephanie, and my daughter, Katie.

Many thanks to all my friends and family for their support and encouragement these past four years and especially to Michael, Gary, Gabrielle, Joanie, Dona, Andrea, Leslie, Sue, Cheryl, and my daughter, brother, and parents.

In the same way that it takes a community to raise a child, it has been the influence of the friends in many faith communities that has helped me grow into the person I am today. Deep gratitude to the members of the United Methodist churches in which I grew up, my Tufts Christian Fellowship friends, Asbury Theological Seminary classmates and professors, members of my first parish in upstate New York, the Atlanta breathwork community, my friends at Central Congregational UCC and Kirkwood UCC, and the women of the Harnessing Your Divine Feminine community. Blessings to all of you!

Blessings to you also, my reader, whether you are an old friend or one I have yet to meet. May God use this book to help you find the wisdom you seek—personally, professionally, and/or as a citizen of communities where transgender issues are being debated and legislated with growing frequency.