I went to Church today

[Guest Shari]

Hi everyone,

About 20 years ago, I was a fairly active member of my church. After awhile, I had trouble with the exclusion being preached by so called Christian leaders, like focus on the family. Because of my hidden gender issues, I more or less concluded that I was not welcome in the Christian Church. I suppressed my gender and got on with my life, but, without the church.

Fast forward twenty years. Today I attended Church in slacks & heels (hair and makeup nicely done, thank you). The experience brought me to tears as I thought about how I was made to feel about myself so long ago. Today, my values were validated.

I think we can toss the ugly, separatist and bigoted interpretations of the bible into the trash heap.

The Church I attended was one of the Metropolitan Community Churches. MCC is a worldwide association and they are an LGBT inclusive Church.

Hugs,

Shari

[Guest Elizabeth K]

We hold our Louisiana Trans Advocacy meetings at the MCC.in Baton Rouge. We three ladies are members of the CCUU (Community Church Uniterian Universalist) in New Orleans area. We have two sister churches in the same area. We also have about five other mainstream churches (First Grace Methodist and St. Marks Christian come to mind) here in new Orleans that are LGBT friendly,

BUT when a Trans person shows up, it still is a rarity. I think we are a very small minority within a full size LGB minority, worldwide. Interesting - it gives us a chance to teach by example to just be good people and fit in with the world.

Lizzy

[VickySGV]

Very wonderful to hear, I have had relations with MCC a few years ago and still think highly of them, but for now, my own parish in another church who has watched me transition in their midst over the past 6 months has my attendance. We fully belong in all Christian denominations and have so much to offer to all of them. We have given up very close to what Jesus himself gave up, a life built on the demands and dreams of others in order to be the REAL true lives we were made to have, by a creator who did not make junk,who did make us as expressions of the Creators will and power, and leads us to THE CREATOR's own purpose.

[Guest Shari]

Hi Lizzy and Vicki,

I'm not 100% sure, but I may have been the only Transwoman in attendance. I don't have that trans-radar Thing-a-ma-jig that others seem to have, LOL.

After the service the Pastor hugged me, asked my name and invited me back.

Shari

[JJ]

Sharii, I am so glad you had this experience. My church has been the most affirming and wonderful group of people imaginable. They even use the right pronouns all the time. I know it's hard for some of them but they go out of their way to make sure I feel loved and accepted.

They even arranged a scholarship for my granddaughter to a residential camp AD put on a fundraiser dinner for what was not covered by the scholarship. All those people there cooking and working for us and being so kind at the same time.

They also never preach at people-they believe in living their religion. All of them up to and including the minister.

And they are a mainstream church. Methodist actually.

It is an amazing experience and validation and I am so happy for you that you have found it too.

Hugs

Johnny

[Michelle 2010]

Nice post Shari.

I happen to be in a time of life where I am becoming more and more authentic with old friends and new ones. It makes me want to simply be me as part of an accepting community, even though most of my spiritual needs are taken care of through another group, I happen to have a friend who attends MMU locally with his boyfriend. Hmm... Maybe its time to take another chance in life, lol!

Michelle

[Guest Shari]

Hi Johhny,

Thanks. It was a very moving experience for me after all these years.

I'm putting my new life together one piece at a time. I never would have admitted it before now, but for me anyway, A Church-life is an important part of making me whole.

I like that your church members don't preach and instead live their religion. It sounds like they've played an important role in your life.

Hugs,

Shari

[JenniferB]

It's nice to see we are being accepted more and more into church Shari. I attend a Reconciling United Methodist Church where they welcome LGBT members.

Jenny

[Guest Shari]

Hi Jenny, Hi Michelle.

This morning I had a choice between having brunch with my friends or going to church. I have no idea why but I decided to go to church. I'm happy with the choice I made.

Hugs,

Shari

[Guest Elizabeth K]

We are working with the membership on a Relationship Covenant (internal - treatment of each other). I have talked with Rev Jim and we are going to use it to possibly work toward an open church. Right now by default (word of mouth and friendships) we have about 120 members, say 40 of us very very active. Of that Sally, Dee Jay, a transwoman named Charlotte (10 years post op) and I, plus a transgenderist Lyla (will not seek to transition) are attending. We have Charlotte's partner who identifies lesbian. I have no idea if we have any other LGBT and I really don't worry much about it.

But an open church would be an offering to the LGBT community, migratory Latino, Native American, and other people who are often disenfranchised. (All churches in N.O. tend to have African Americans and that is a non issue) We also have a few expatriates including those from Brazil, Honduras, Mexico and Ukraine. So we are pretty diverse already.

I LOVE this church!

Lizzy

[Michelle 2010]

a spiritual melting pot Lizzy...

Lots of ingredients for Gods' stew

Michelle

[gennee]

Shari, thank you for sharing this. I attend Fort Washington Collegiate Church here in New York. We are forming an LGBTQI ministry which will kick off in June. All the pastors and some of the congregant know that I'm trans. I haven't gone to the church dress because of my wife's feeling. that will change when pride kicks off next month.

[Guest Shari]

Hi Gennee,

It was a pretty emotional experience, which actually surprised me.

Good luck to you next month.

Shari

[Bulldog1948]

Very wonderful to hear, I have had relations with MCC a few years ago and still think highly of them, but for now, my own parish in another church who has watched me transition in their midst over the past 6 months has my attendance. We fully belong in all Christian denominations and have so much to offer to all of them. We have given up very close to what Jesus himself gave up, a life built on the demands and dreams of others in order to be the REAL true lives we were made to have, by a creator who did not make junk,who did make us as expressions of the Creators will and power, and leads us to THE CREATOR's own purpose.

Very well said

Mike