Transgender individuals and their families continue to face significant discrimination and violence in many parts of our nation. On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are reminded of the need for stronger protections and support for the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. Unfortunately, there are currently multiple legislative proposals and executive actions that seek to undermine the rights of transgender people, including access to healthcare, protection from discrimination, and the right to live authentically. These actions threaten the safety, well-being, and basic freedoms of transgender individuals.
The proposed legislation targeting transgender rights, including laws that restrict access to gender-affirming care and seek to erase the existence of transgender individuals in public life, will cause immediate harm. Studies show that transgender individuals, particularly transgender women and youth, face disproportionately high rates of mental health struggles, discrimination, and violence. These laws not only contribute to these harmful conditions but also deny transgender individuals the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. The impacts are far-reaching, harming families and communities as a whole by fostering division and exclusion.
We are at a crossroads—we cannot allow these harmful policies to continue, and we must choose to stand up for the human dignity of transgender individuals. Now is the time to act urgently to advocate for the rights and dignity of transgender people by opposing these discriminatory bills and instead support policies that protect and empower them.
As Presbyterians, we are called to stand with those who are marginalized and oppressed. The Presbyterian Church (USA) affirms the full dignity of all people, regardless of gender identity. Our commitment to justice and human rights is grounded in Scripture and our shared values.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long affirmed the need to advocate for those who are vulnerable. In our 2014 General Assembly report, we declared our support for transgender individuals and their families, emphasizing that all people are made in God's image and should be treated with respect and dignity. We stand firm in our belief that God alone is Lord of our conscience, and it is our duty to ensure that all people, including transgender individuals, have the freedom to live in accordance with their authentic selves, free from discrimination or harm.
Scripture affirms this call for justice and inclusion. Galatians 3:28 reminds us that "there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all are one in Christ Jesus." The church’s mission calls us to live this out in tangible ways, ensuring that all people, regardless of gender identity, are valued and supported.
As we seek to be a Matthew 25 Church, we are committed to acting to "dismantle structural racism and oppression." This commitment extends to transgender people, who face unique and profound forms of discrimination. Amplifying the rights of transgender individuals is not just a political issue—it's a matter of faith.
On Transgender Day of Visibility, we urge you to contact your elected representatives and demand that they uphold the rights of transgender individuals. Specifically, ask them to:
- Read the Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity's invitation to 'celebrate the joy and resiance of transgender and genderqueer people' in churches and communities.
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to restrict the rights and dignity of transgender individuals.
- Support policies that affirm the ability of transgender people to live authentically, including access to gender-affirming healthcare and protection from discrimination.
- Stand with transgender families in advocating for justice and inclusion.
Together, we can create a world where transgender people and their families are not only visible but respected, loved, and protected. Let us reflect the love of Christ in our actions today and every day.
Please contact your Congressional representatives today and urge them to protect and uplift the rights of transgender individuals.
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