Voicing the Witness of Transgender Christians: A Documentary from Integrity USA
Out of the Box, a documentary produced by the Episcopal welcoming church program Integrity, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about gender identity and transgender people. The stories of several transgender church members and priests come alive as they tell of their years of struggle trying to live as a gender that didn’t match their experience of themselves and how they resolved their struggles, finding new life and new ministry when they came ‘out of the box.’
Many powerful and personal moments are shared in Out of the Box:
“[although I was a woman in they eyes of those around me,] I worked hard at trying to pass as a woman, I was so afraid to face my own need to be who I was.” Cameron, transgender Episcopal priest.
“Once I [finished seminary and] landed in the parish, the strain of standing in front of people Sunday after Sunday and talking about truth while not living my own truth was slowly destroying me emotionally as well as spiritually.” Carla, transgender Episcopal priest.
“My very first time coming to church as a woman, I sat and heard the opening acclamation, and heard myself literally realizing for the first time that I was outing myself to God. And then went, ‘Oh wait, he’s just been waiting for me to show up.'” Barbara, transgender Episcopal Deacon.
“To be denied access to ministry because of who you are is just shattering.” Dante, transgender seminary faculty.
Several of these transgender people also share the unique insights that they bring to ministry, a new understanding of what it means to die as one person and be ressurected another, a more complete understanding that we all have unique life experiences, and as Bishop Robinson says “I think the transgender community is being brought to us by the Holy Spirit to refine us and make us into the inclusive followers of Christ that we are called to be.”
This 27 minute documentary gives clear descriptions of the traditional gender model that many of us do not fit into, and helps us be clear in our conversations by giving simple definitions of gender identity, transgender, and gender expression.