Welcome!
TransFaith Online is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
TransAction
The Interfaith Working Group (Philadelphia, PA) is the 501c3 non-profit organization that produces TransFaith Online. Please support our work today!
Transgender faith leaders lobby for hate crime legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Dozens of transgender religious leaders converged on legislators today in Washington D.C. to deliver a joint letter in support of hate crimes legislation and against the history of violence against transgender people. The House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on HR 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act which has the goal of helping local officials handle the demands of hate crimes investigations.
The full letter was released to the media at a press conference on Tuesday, April 28, at the Foundry United Methodist Church in northwest Washington D.C. where transgender faith leaders spoke out for both protection of transgender people, who are often targeted for hate crimes, as well as for reform of the criminal justice system that favors incarceration over education.
Letter from Transgender Religious Leaders to Legislators
in Support of a Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill
(Tuesday, April 28, 2009) [ en Español ]
Call to Action: From Fear to Hope by Nicole Garcia
Current Highlights
Mark your calendar!
Philadelphia TransHealth Conference
June 11-13, 2009
Including:
TransFaith Online is proud to be collaborating with the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, beginning in 2009. The theme of the 8th Annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference is "Different Paths… One Journey" and will include a spirituality track of workshops. Please mark your calendar for June 11-13, 2009!
While we were disappointed that Hurricane Gustav interrupted our much anticipated gathering in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference provides an even more financially accessible space for gathering transgender religious community. We encourage supportive clergy and other religious leaders to come and participate in Thursday's Provider Day. We also welcome all comers to the Friday-Saturday Community Days with no registration fee.
Let the "T" not be silent
One of the challenges that transgender people face as we seek out spiritual community is that all too often "LGBT" really only means lesbian and gay. Congregations that call themselves inclusive are too often uneducated and ill-equipped to welcome a transgender person who walks through their door.
Each year, the fourth Sunday in January is designated as "International Welcoming Church Sunday." This is a time when congregations in many different denominations all celebrate our commitment to diversity – and in particular to affirming God's love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Observed at the beginning of a new year, Welcoming Church Sunday is an opportune time to reinvigorate our welcome with education about and exploration of the transgender experience.
- TransFaith offers a "Where do we begin?" page that notes several books, curricula, and videos that might be useful in an adult education setting. Be sure to check out the new "Gender Identity and Faith Communities" curriculum that has just been released.
- Inquire with local LGBT centers and transgender support groups to see if there are speakers who might help you offer a panel presentation on transgender concerns during an adult education time.
- Consider taking up a special offering to support to support the development of the TransFaith speakers bureau -- or a local transgender support group or service organization.
- Review our InterSection on Finding a Spiritual Home to think about some of the issues involved in fully extending your welcome.
Most importantly, make a plan for how your congregation can begin to deepen its resolve to welcome and understand, to advocate and affirm people of all gender identities and expressions.
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day.
1. Be bold. Stop putting it off! Go get tested today!
2. Spread the word. Tell everyone-your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors-to get tested for HIV!
3. If you find out you are HIV positive, go get medical treatment.
4. Bring a family member, close friend, pastor or church member with you for support to get tested.
Recent Additions
We are working to develop funding and programming for a TransFaith speakers bureau, TransFaith on-line forum, and TransSafe Churches network. Your contributions can help make these possibilities real!
Welcome
