Responding from the Heart to Transphobia

 A member of our extended family is a transgender person and she is a happy, creative young person who knows she is loved and accepted. It is a blessing that the family around her doesn't question her sense of self, and she has identified as a girl since the time she could talk. There was no doubt that this was how she viewed herself in the world, and we have supported this, not so much as a choice, but as a way of being. We're grateful that her school is strongly supportive of her personhood in a number of practical ways. 

On the one hand, this was not the outlook in which we were raised and we acknowledge that in an earlier day we held attitudes which were hurtful. We still have moments when non-binary gender identity is a mystery to us. On the other hand, why not accept and support what is so obvious when we peel away prejudices and stereotypes? As followers of Jesus, why wouldn't we celebrate fullness of life for our loved one and for others? 

This is the International Day Against Homophobia. Biphobia and Transphobia, which is a mouthful. It is day to acknowledge that these phobias exist and are actually on the rise. In the last year a wave of legislative bills have been introduced in US states which are transphobic and anti-LGBTQ2+, including the hysterical "don't say gay" legislation in Florida. Books have been removed from schools and public libraries. Teachers and librarians have been fired for inclusive perspectives. 

While this hasn't happened in Canada in such a blatant way, these phobias exist. The council of a nearby community dealt with calls to change the rainbow crosswalks, which thankfully the council members did not support. Another community in Southwestern Ontario will not fly Pride flags on public property because of strong resistance on the part of vocal citizens. In the latter instance considerable pressure was brought to bear by a large evangelical congregation which strongly opposes acceptance of LGBTQ2+ persons. 

It's been said that Jesus was put to death because of who he accepted rather than who he rejected. Consider the "scandal" of the meals he shared with outcasts and his inclusion of women. Even on the cross he promised paradise to the thief who was dying at his side. 

The older I get the more my heart is with the Christ who accepts rather than rejects and with those who seek understanding and love in an often hostile world.