| Beloved: We share this pastoral letter in care and love for our transgender siblings. Dignity for trans people has become a casualty of political combat. Healthcare, passports, and military service have all come under threat. Physical violence and harassment have increased for all trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people. Trans women and trans people of color are at especially high risk. The administration has declared that transgender people are non-persons. We know different. It’s not social theory. Scripture tells us that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. We reflect the image of God in all our great and beautiful diversity. God abides with us most fully when we are vulnerable, struggling, or afraid. We know that God loves transgender people. There’s no well-trod path for our transgender siblings. Discernment requires their daily courage. Trans people often travel a long journey to discover who they are. Parents search for ways to support their children who are transitioning. No one should feel alone. We know that we are called to seek and serve Christ in each other. Our congregations are called to be places where we experience God’s love fully. We are meant to be communities of safety, belonging, and freedom. God’s unshakeable connection with us calls us to be in solidarity with each other. The earliest claim about Christians in the first century was see how they love one another. It wasn’t the culture of the time. It was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s still true. Our transgender siblings dwell in God’s love. We have the opportunity now to model a different way from what we hear in our polarized news feeds— to follow our faith and expand our welcome. In the coming months, we’ll offer support for clergy and congregational leaders for welcome in all our local communities. There are resources that we can help us all to learn. This Saturday at noon, we’ll officiate together at the second Service of Trans Joy & Resilience at the Cathedral. We’re all invited to join. |
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| The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd Bishop of New York |
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| The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin Bishop Suffragan |
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| The Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool Bishop Assistant |