“Supporting Gender Inclusivity, Equal Protection, and the Sacred Worth of Transgender,Non-binary, and Gender Diverse People”
Resolution to the West Ohio Conference
This week I will be presenting a resolution on transgender rights to the West Ohio Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The resolution, “Supporting Gender Inclusivity, Equal Protection, and the Sacred Worth of Transgender,Non-binary, and Gender Diverse People” is a public witness to the church’s support of gender diverse people and an affirmation of non-discrimination within the church.
Watch the video presenting this recommendation at: https://vimeo.com/1185981543/3fe0fd0f61?fl=pl&fe=vl
The United Methodist Church stands at a moment of great opportunity. In 2024, the General Conference of the Church removed restrictions around ordination and marriage for LGBTQIA+ people. Since then, the Church’s constitution has been amended to affirm the role of people of diverse genders and abilities. On March 23rd of this year, Bishop Julius Tremble of Church and Society stated “The United Methodist Church unequivocally supports gender inclusivity, sacred worth and equal protection for transgender and non-binary people.”
At the same time that our church has become more inclusive, our political world has become more exclusive. So far this year, in only five months, 778 anti-trans bills have been proposed in 43 states. The Ohio legislature currently has eight bills in process that target LGBT rights. One example of these bills is HB 249 that claims to limit drag performances to adult venues, but defines a drag performer as anyone who wears clothing or makeup different than their gender assigned at birth. Under the broad language of this bill, if passed in to law, it would criminalize me when I preach in front of children.
While our General Conference removed restrictive language, we do not have any protective language in our Book of Discipline. As such, this resolution serves as a witness that we stand for the human rights of gender diverse people and that we will practice those same rights in our employment.
This is a moment of great opportunity for us. At a time when legislators are seeking to erase transgender people, we can be a sanctuary, we can be the one place that practices radical hospitality and offers vulnerable people the salvation of safety, community, and belonging.