Joan Of Arc, Cross Dressing, Warrior Saint --

[VickySGV]

This was linked on the FB page of Integrity which is the LGBT organization of The Episcopal Church.

http://jesusinlove.blogspot.com/2016/05/joan-of-arc-cross-dressing-warrior-saint.html

Joan (or Jeanne) felt that her cross-dressing and body presentment was a call from God. A predicament of the church, even today.

[Charlize]

What a great article. I enjoyed reading it. I had never really know the story. There are certainly parallels for our community. I am learning to accept that my higher power doesn't make mistakes and yet i doubt that my conviction is strong enough to die for. It was hard enough to face the world to begin with. No saint am i.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

funny because i'm listening to a podcast on that subject these days. She was crossdressing because it was the thing to do on a battlefield when you are an "holy warrior". Her father was well connected with a local noble. At the time there was a prophecy saying that a young virgin would save France. It is because of that context that she was able to do what she did. All point to the fact that Charles willingly used her to boost the morale of the French troops. She was not a warrior per say but more of a mascot for the french army. They dressed her in a white armor mainly for the symbol : she was holy and sent from god. She was wearing man's clothes mainly because there was none warrior equipment for woman at the time.

[Guest]

(since she was the king's tool, at the moment she was not useful anymore ... inquisition time)

[tracy_j]

A nice refresher!

I suspect her story is better known over this side of the pond (and obviously far more so in France). When I went to school it was one of the topics well covered.

Although not of a religious nature, it wasn't so long ago that I found out that it was not unusual for women to serve in the Royal Navy (English) in the sailing ships. Some went for years dressed as men, and when found out were generally treated leniently - just had to leave.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/women_nelson_navy_01.shtml

Tracy

[Guest Razilee]

One of my favorite saints. She was an activist, persecuted far worse that any of us, and yet a role model for both men and women, transmen and transwomen.

St. Joan, pray for us!!

Raz