TransFaith Intersections features information and resources relating to transgender health and wholeness. We believe that nurturing the spiritual health of any community necessarily involves paying attention to issues of body, mind, and spirit. Due to the overwhelming risk-factors faced by the transgender community, health and wholeness is truly a matter of life and death.
TransFaith InterSections emphasizes transgender health and wholeness by highlighting risk-factors that impact the transgender community in unique ways. Through education and awareness, we hope that trans-folks, together with our allies, will be empowered to better resource one another in nurturing a more healthy community.
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.
TransFaith and Trans-Health
TransFaith Online is proud to be collaborating with the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, beginning in 2009. We believe that spiritual health is an integral part of transgender health and wholeness and are pleased that the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference shares this commitment. Meanwhile, we also believe that faith communities should be equipped to support trans-folks in all aspects of our development -- body, mind, and spirit.
- 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!.
- The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference provides a financially accessible space for gathering transgender religious community, including transkids as well as our friends, family, and allies.
- We encourage supportive clergy to come and participate in Thursday's Provider Day. We also welcome all comers to the Friday-Saturday Community Day with no registration fee.
Please be in touch with your ideas for workshops and other gatherings. A Spirituality Track planning group is now forming.
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