Transgender Christian and at peace

[Gennee]

My two plus years of being transgender has brought some changes in my life. I have been a born again Christian for nearly thirty-five years. I have always believed that God saves everybody who will come unto him. I have seen the lives of down and out men and women changed by Jesus' love and salvation.

God did not reject me when I learned of my transgender status and when I came out to myself as a crossdresser. The main question I asked was why this came upon me so late in life (I'm 58). This must have been deep inside of me because I never had gender issues nor the desire to wear women's clothing. I do know that I always felt that I was different. I didn't know why but I did.

I am now part of a marginalized minority whose is fighting oppression and bigotry. I know that God would not put anything on me if he knows that I could not handle it. When I embraced my transgenderism, I was so peaceful inside. I have a much better understanding of gay issues and a different perspective about the AIDS crisis.

I long believed that church should the one place any weary spirit could come for comfort and refreshment. Sadly, for the LGBT community, that is not the case in most places.

My desire is to see men and women come to Jesus, regardless of race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status. Jesus is inclusive of all people and so am I. someday, I am going to teach and I will be dealing with these issues. I want to help and encourage transgender and gender variant people to strive to reach their potential.

I love the LGBT community and pray that God will do a mighty work.

Gennee

[u-dog]

What a powerful testimony Genee. Thanks! The outside world thinks of all of LGBT as "gender benders" but you are something even MORE disturbing than that. You are a total "Catagory Contortionist" (I made that up ) An evangelical transgendered Christian!! Can you imagine what would happen to Dobson's brain if he ever met you? First, it would start to smoke and then it would... explode.

Now that I think of it... all of us GLBT CHristians probably have the same effect. That's why they work so hard to deny that we are Christians and try so persistently to consign us to hell.

[paul]

"Can you imagine what would happen to Dobson's brain if he ever met you? First, it would start to smoke and then it would... explode"

Probably not a bad thing, either...sorry,sorry,sorry.

[BruceChris]

We have a growing number of transgendered people attending our church. Have you read works about being transgender and Christian by Vanessa Sheridan, and/or Virginia Ramey Mollenkott?

I hope we can adopt a model of gender and sexuality that is less binary, and much more multi-dimensional and diffuse. (Kinsey's 1-6 scale for identity and orientation? How about Quantum Gender?)

Come back and post, and tell us what you think, or start some more of your own threads.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[ladyinred]

I personally don't see why people make such a big deal out of someone who is transgendered. It's not like they aren't human beings or an anomaly. Why should they be treated as any less than someone else? Personally I don't see why it should bother people. As far as Dobson's brain I thought it was already "toast" LOL

[jhager]

Gennee,

Thank you so much for your testimony, as a fellow LGBT Evangelical it is so refreshing to hear your story of triumph and courage and to hear that your faith has remained in tact throughout. May God continue to bless you and provide you the spirit and strength to share your story with others

-Justin Hager
2007 Soulforce Equality Rider

[BruceChris]

Transgendered individuals are children of God, just like everybody else.

And once we figure out that our sex and sexuality are a gift from God/dess, and while they are private and personal, they are NOT dirty, the world becomes less threatening, and more beautiful.

(I think I'm still working on that one, just a bit)

P&L, Bruce Chris

[BenL]

Originally Posted by Gennee

The main question I asked was why this came upon me so late in life (I'm 58). This must have been deep inside of me because I never had gender issues nor the desire to wear women's clothing. I do know that I always felt that I was different. I didn't know why but I did.

Gennee,

My husband Charley couldn't articulate his transness until he was 52 years old. He simply didn't have the words for it. He has transitioned now and we have paid a price, but we couldn't be happier and more thankful to God for helping us both realize who we really are. Thank you for your witness.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

We have a growing number of transgendered people attending our church. Have you read works about being transgender and Christian by Vanessa Sheridan, and/or Virginia Ramey Mollenkott?

I hope we can adopt a model of gender and sexuality that is less binary, and much more multi-dimensional and diffuse. (Kinsey's 1-6 scale for identity and orientation? How about Quantum Gender?)

Come back and post, and tell us what you think, or start some more of your own threads.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

I read Vanessa's book called 'Crossing Over:Liberating the Transgendered Christian'. I'm going through it again because some excellent points were made. I correspond with Vanessa and find her to be a fine lady.

Gennee

[Str8Ally]

Originally Posted by ladyinred

I personally don't see why people make such a big deal out of someone who is transgendered. It's not like they aren't human beings or an anomaly. Why should they be treated as any less than someone else?

I think the religious objection stems from the idea of God having created absolute "gender roles" for both sexes - boys play with trucks, girls play with dolls. Men work and control the finances, women give birth and and cook dinner. The transgendered can't as easily be told what to do, now can they?