You do not need to change or abandon your values and beliefs

[Guest Addi]

Hi Everyone,

I want to tell you that when I began my transition, my life was still missing something that was important to me. My faith was something that I kept all these years but did not practice because of "having a secret and not fitting in". I can only tell you about my personal journey, and I hope I am not preaching.

There are places, Churches, Synagogues and Dens that accept and love you for the person you are. We often hear of new Churches opening their doors in love and acceptance. This year at the local Pride festival, more Churches were represented than in any prior year (I was told today).

On these forums, are many stories about love, acceptance and inclusion.

Hold fast to your beliefs and seek out your place of worship. It just may be the strong foundation you need to blossom.

Addi

[Guest Nova Maria]

Addi,

Thank you for the inspiring post! I left my church years ago, and now, thousands of miles away (in both the literal and metaphorical sense) yet now I'm finding myself drawn back to God. I thought for years that faith was somehow incompatible with my trans history, but I can see now that my faith can be enriched and strengthened by my transition.

Even though some churches haven't yet come to recognize us for what we are, their brothers and sisters, we are right in the eyes of God!

Nova

[VickySGV]

A wonderful reminder Addi --- personal spirituality runs high in the transgender population, and there are fellowships who are delighted to share ours with us. I am very welcome in my place of worship, and in its larger national fellowship and they give me ways to experience my true reality in ways they are seeing that benefit them too.

[Guest rikkicd64]

Good post Addi, I just started back to church a couple of months ago. What you said is true,our values and our morals do remain with us. Now instead of being a gentleman, I am a lady.

Rikki...

[Guest Eliza_S]

My daughter says that while she's still not willing to think of herself as religious, that she has found herself feeling more spiritual since she started hormones. This makes me very happy, because I think spirituality is a firm base for any difficult journey. And my church has no issues about transgender, so she can come if she ever decides she wants to do so. Meanwhile, my God tells me that my daughter is doing exactly what she should be doing to be strong along her path in life, and I am glad I have a God like that.

[Guest Addi]

Thank you all for your responses.

Eliza, your daughter is very fortunate to have you as her mother but I guess you already know that. Church and worship are very important to me but I also understand it may not be for everyone as they have their own spiritual path to follow.

Hugs,

Addi