Celebrating Gender Transition

A transgender man in England asks his pastor to re-baptize him in his new name and identity. When the pastor responded with the theologically appropriate ‘Once you’ve been baptized, you’re baptized,’ the member responded ‘but I was baptized as a girl, under a different name.’ The pastor’s first response: ‘Let me have a think about it.’

In the Church of England, like many churches that practice infant baptism, the rite of baptism includes a naming, an introducing the child to God and the church, making this man’s request all the more relevant, wanting to be reintroduced to God and the church as his true self.

The pastor followed through and celebrated an affirmation of baptismal vows ‘where we could introduce him to God with his new name and his new identity.’

This article from The Guardian describes several such instances where transgender people found a welcome in the Church of England after transitioning to their real gender identity. In response, the Church of England is considering adding a liturgy to the prayer book to celebrate and welcome gender transition.

Understanding, listening, and responding in a loving manner that respects who people are is the foundation of welcome. The GLAD Alliance has resource available to provide your congregation with more information about transgender issues, and we would love to hear your stories of welcome and as well as your questions about welcoming transgender people.

You can send your stories of welcome as well as your questions to Mark Johnston at mark@gladalliance.org.