Believe Out Loud Multi-Faith Statement Decries Texas’ New Law Discriminating Against Transgender Youth
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Believe Out Loud Multi-Faith Statement Decries Texas’ New Law Discriminating Against Transgender Youth
“Sports teams should be a shining example to children of how working together with people of different backgrounds can foster close bonds and help young people find success through teamwork”
DALLAS, Texas (Nov. 2, 2021) – A national coalition of 42 organizations and 171 individuals have endorsed a multi-faith statement of solidarity with transgender children in Texas, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Texas House Bill 25, prohibiting K-12 student-athletes from competing on school sports teams aligned with their gender identity.
“It breaks my heart that some see our differences as threats instead of gifts to be cherished,” said Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. “Our transgender children do not need to be excluded. Now, more than ever, they need to be validated and told they are perfect just the way they are.”
The statement, stewarded by Believe Out Loud, a global digital project providing resources and community for LGBTQIA people of faith and allies and a program of the Cathedral of Hope, says in part:
Sports teams should be a shining example to children of how working together with people of different backgrounds can foster close bonds and help young people find success through teamwork. Giving transgender youth a place on such teams could improve mental health by leaps and bounds and provide a network of friends who don’t see their differences as grounds for exclusion but opportunities for celebration.
Believe Out Loud calls on people of faith to stand with transgender siblings who are being targeted by legislators around the country. In Texas, during a historic pandemic and ongoing suffering Governor Greg Abbot called a special session to pass legislation to prevent transgender children in school from playing sports in their gender identity.
Join us in letting Governor Greg Abbott know that people of faith stand with our transgender siblings and that the God we know would welcome all children to come and play.
The statement received endorsements from organizations, religious leaders, and concerned community members of diverse backgrounds, including United Church of Christ, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth, Soulforce, Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies, Estuary Space, Trinity Episcopal Church, Parity, West End Collegiate Church, Congregation Kol Ami, Lake Street Church of Evanston, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis, Zion Episcopal Church, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, and Ferndale First United Methodist Church.
Dozens of Christian clergy, rabbi’s and community leaders endorsed the statement, including Dr. Wilhelmina Perry (Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent), Mark Edward Pettis (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager, United Church of Christ), Jeff Mummert (Treasurer and Board Member, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth), Rev. Alba Onofrio (Co-Executive Director, Soulforce), Tanya Tassi (National Community Center Policy Manager, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers), Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies), Danny Cortez (Executive Director, Estuary Space), Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church), Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen (Executive Director, Parity), Rabbi Denise L Eger (Senior Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami), Reverend Wes Mullins (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis), Reverend Lucy LaRocca (Zion Episcopal Church), Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas (Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), and Reverend Robert Schoenhals (Ferndale First United Methodist Church).
Signatures came from the following states: Ohio, West Coast, New York, Alabama, California, North Carolina, Texas, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, and Washington.
Notable comments from our endorsers:
I am transgender and I am a religious professional. Full Transgender inclusion is a tenet of my faith.
Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration
I am so grateful that people of faith are standing up for a community of people who need people to back them in the walk and seek justice for them…with them.
Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC
As a long-time activist for racial, economic, and social justice since the late fifties (I am now 85), I heartily sign this petition.
Dr. Harold Kooden, Retired
The #1 value in our school is Tzelem Elohim – we are all made in the divine image, the #1 Jewish law is “save a life” I am signing as a Jew, parent, educator, colleague and friend for both reasons.
Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him
The ability to play team sports was integral to becoming who I am. However, I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I’d been able to transition as a young person AND be able to engage in sports that aligned with my gender identity. Please don’t exclude transgender kids from those opportunities.
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Sports promote confidence, self-awareness, physical and mental wellbeing, teamwork, and encourage growth, leadership, and engagement across backgrounds and experiences. To deny these opportunities to any child is harmful. Everyone is a child of God and should be treated as such.
Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship, Cathedral of Hope
Discriminating against transgender people (especially youth & children!) is not Christian. Defending them is.
Rosina Snow, Dir. of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC
I believe in inclusivity.
Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church
I am a rabbi and the mom of a transgender child and a non-binary child. I know first hand from both seats how vital it is to protect trans children, whose lives are at stake.
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All
Every human carries God’s DNA as a child of God. God would not deny any of them health care!
Every child of God is loved by God unconditionally. Every child‚ every trans child‚ deserves respect, equal opportunity in life including sports!
Rev Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church Of Christ
Thank you for your continuing faith and work on behalf of our transgender youth, some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer
These young people are more at risk and deal with much pain because of people’s lack of acceptance. Provide them with acceptance and opportunities.
Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran
Transgender Rights are Human Rights.
Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth
As a church community, we welcome all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe that trans women and girls are female and trans men and boys are male and that God loves them as such. We aspire to create an affirming space where transgender and non-binary people feel welcome and loved and where intersectional diversity is normalized and embraced.
Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
All children deserve to be protected. Any law that would diminish a child’s right to thrive in school and sports must be challenged as being anti-democratic.
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies
Our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being, including children and LGBTQIA+ children.
Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church
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About Cathedral of Hope
Cathedral of Hope, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), based in Dallas, Texas, is the world’s largest liberal Christian church with a primary outreach to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people. Local and national church ministries, outreach programs, pastoral counseling, television media and the Internet touch thousands of lives each day. The Mission of the Cathedral of Hope is to reclaim Christianity as a faith of extravagant grace, radical inclusion and relentless compassion. Our beliefs are based upon our Core Values. The Core Values of Cathedral of Hope are Compassion, Inclusion, Liberation, Hope and Faith in Jesus.
About Believe Out Loud
Believe Out Loud is a global digital community working to move all people toward an expansive, transformative understanding of divine love. We center and sanctify queer spirituality across our programs, from our online worship services led by LGBTQIA faith leaders to our grantmaking program supporting faith-driven LGBTQIA peacebuilders around the world. On our social media platforms, hundreds of thousands of queer people of faith and allies gather to experience affirmation of their divinity—and to heal from damaging societal messages that alienate the LGBTQIA community from spiritual resources.
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Updated on November 10th, 2021
Organizational Endorsements:
Keshet
The Collegiate Churches of New York
Middle Collegiate Church
Fort Washington Collegiate Church
West End Collegiate Church
Marble Collegiate Church
United Church of Christ
New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth
Soulforce
Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies
Estuary Space
Trinity Episcopal Church
Parity
West End Collegiate Church
Congregation Kol Ami
Lake Street Church of Evanston
MCC San Diego
Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis
Zion Episcopal Church
Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Ferndale First United Methodist Church
Faith in Public Life
Friends Congregational Church UCC
Church of the Savior
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Epiphany United Church of Christ
MAPSCO LLC
Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative
Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community
Catholics for Choice
Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association
Interfaith Alliance
TransEpiscopal
New Ways Ministry
Faithful America
Essentials for Life Ministries
St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church
The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina
ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
Individual Endorsements:
Institutional affiliation is provided for identification purposes only and does not constitute an institutional endorsement.
Reverend Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Reverend Katherine Katsanis-Semel, MCC SD
Reverend Wes Mullins, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis
Reverend Lucy LaRocca, Zion Episcopal Church
Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Reverend Robert Schoenhals, Ferndale First United Methodist Church
The Rev. Tom Fehr, Episcopal Church
Reverend Ashley Birt, Affirming Youth Ministries
Natasha Moore, Quench Finance
Ross Murray, Deacon, GLAAD
Reverend Glynden Bode, UMC
Jeffrey Stinson
Reverend Dr. Fran Mayes, retired MCC
Julie McCord
Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration First Jefferson UUC
Taj M. Smith, Taj M Smith Coaching & Consulting
Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC
The Rev. Sandra John, Soul Awakening
Clarence Anderson
Dr. Emily Anderson, CUNY/BMCC
Ms. Terry Boggis
Dr. Judy Turnock, The Riverside Church in the City of New York
Dr. Harold Kooden
Su Yon Pak, Senior Director and Assoc Professor of Integrative and Field-Based Education, Union Theological Seminary
Dan De Leon, Senior Pastor Friends Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Davi Weasley, Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham
Ivy Tillman
Lisa Fels Davitt, CEO Succession Communications
Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him
Reverend James Waugh, United Methodist Church
Jason Miller, Information Technology
RoseAnn Evans, Administrative Assistant Al Menah Shriners Temple
Reverend Mark Lukens, Bethany Congregational UCC
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Ross Elliott, RN
Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship Cathedral of Hope, UCC
Rosina Snow, Director of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC
Sara Dion
Reverend Lea Matthews, St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church
Rabbi Andrew Paley, Rabbi Temple Shalom
Susan Xenarios, Former Director and Founder Crime Victims Treatment Center
Rabbi Joshua Strom, Congregation B’nai Yisrael
Debbie Walker, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
Danielle Phillips, Western Washington University
Lisa Johnson
Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church
Marge Maloney
Judy Rogers
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All
Reverend Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church of Christ
Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer
Dr. Carol Mack, St. Andrew Episcopal Church
The Rev Gwen Fry, Episcopal priest, The Episcopal Church
Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran
Patricia Malley
Jillian Westerfield, Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston
Katherine Behrens
Kevin Gillespie, GAA, Austin Texas
Dr. Wilhelmina Perry Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent
Mark Edward Pettis, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager United Church of Christ
Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth
Rev. Alba Onofrio, Co-Executive Director Soulforce
Rev. Charles Graves IV, Campus Minister Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Tanya Tassi, National Community Center Policy Manager CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Reverend Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies
Danny Cortez, Executive Director, Estuary Space
Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church
Reverend Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director Parity
Marilyn Flood, Member West End Collegiate Church
Rabbi Denise L Eger, Senior. Rabbi Congregation Kol Ami
Dr. Katherine Ellis, member Riverside Church NYC
Zack Travers, member Riverside Church NYC
George Smith, member Cathedral of hope
Michael Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director Unitarian Universalist Association
Juli Claussen, Elder, First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ FCC-DoC
Katy Joseph, Director of Policy & Advocacy Interfaith Alliance
Minister Anita Mortimer, Retired Community of Christ
June Levier
Zachary Bennett
Rev. Rachael Hayes, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina
Patricia Mae MacArthur, New Hope UU
Julie Baugh Cloud, Vice President Baugh Foundation
Michael Kelleher, New Hope: A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Matt Zimmerman, Lay Leader Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Andrea Zimmerman, Dr. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Phillip Smedley
Angela Aidala, Research Faculty Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health
Cameron Partridge, Steering Committee Member TransEpiscopal
Philip Davis, MCC
Patricia Clark
Debbie Walker, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
Fr. Marek Bozek, Priest and Pastor St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church
Joshua Chen
Reverend Angie Cox, Broad Street United Methodist Church
Margaret M. Rodeheaver, Will Way Books, Inc.
Kathy Plavcan, President Plavcan Consulting LLC
Katelyn Elrod, Student University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Jacob Kraus-Preminger, Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Jasmine, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Olga Tadesse, Senior Principal Slalom Consulting
Årelis Figueroa, Minister La Iglesia del Pueblo
Ronald L Moore
Mojubaolu O Okome, Professor of Political Science, Brooklyn College, City University of New York
Irene King, Member The Riverside Church in the City of New York
Gary Richmond, Retired CUNY
Reverend Michael Livingston Interim Senior Minister The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Mary Biggs, Professor Emerita of English The College of New Jersey (retired)
Lorraine Burchall
Frances Nicholson, Presbyterian Highland Presbyterian Church
Alexa Donaphin, The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Feitian Ma, Family Resource Specialist KidsPeace
Rev. Dr. Karyn Carlo, American Baptist
Livia Calvet, Columbia University
Crystal Walcutt, Regional Commissioner AYSO 8/A/1597
Reverend Jonathan Favors-Grimes, Olive Tree Community
Aida L. Montero, Member of The Riverside Church In The City Of New York, NYC
Judy Flerl, Church of the Saviour
Bridget Cabrera, Executive Director Methodist Federation for Social Action
M.K. Mcclaskey
Riley
Virl Andrick, The Riverside Church In The City Of New York/ Maranatha ( LGBTQ )
Marcia Y Wooden, Therapist
Geoff Martin, Member The Riverside Church Prayer Group
Pastor Dave Ferguson, Seventh-day Adventist Kinship
Mx. Sulkiro Song HA:N UMC
LaSonya Thompson, Executive Producer InterFaith Film & Music Festival
Reverend Krissy, Epiphany United Church of Christ
Melissa Appleton, President MAPSCO LLC
Staci, Hospital
Dr. R.D. Moore, Mary Moore Instutite
Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director New Ways Ministry
Pastor Marguerite Sheehan, Trinity Church
The Rev. Anne, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, Founding Executive Director Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative
Reverend Kori Pacyniak, Pastor Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community
Reverend Joan VanBecelaere, North Unitarian Universalist Church in Lewis Center
Margery Maloney
Rev. Nathan Empsall, Executive Director Faithful America
Marlee Breakstone, Domestic Program Associate Catholics for Choice
Jenn Tafel, Minister Grounded Cove Living
Rev. Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries
Cameron Partridge, Rector St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Nikhil Mandalaparthy, Board Member Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus
Nat Lazakis
Elizabeth Reid, Excelsior United Methodist Church
Sean, parishioner West End Collegiate Church
Mia Coward, Sr. Campaigns and Organizing Associate Faith in Public Life
The Rev. Trent Williams, Associate Pastor Friends Congregational Church UCC
David Weasley, Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham
Reverend Lucy LaRocca, Zion Episcopal Church
James Sullivan
Dr. Muoyo Okome
L Julian Wharton, Rainbow Room
Rev. Jim Keat, Digital Minister The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Sumati Devadutt, Member of The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Kemi Okome, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Jennifer Stites
Terry Lombardi, Lombardi Family
Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz, Executive Pastor Discipleship & Strategy Cathedral of Hope UCC
Rev. Erin Wyma, Associate Minister of Next Generations Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Sue Schrader, Manager of Sources of Hope Gifts & Books Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Victoria Anderson, Director of Content Development Believe Out Loud
Stuart Leung, Goodrx
Meghan Fazzi, Manager of Events Simons Foundation
Julia Ann Harbert
Reverend Bruce Lamb, Minister of Faith Formation The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Rueben L Martinez, Empire Stockbroker Training and Tutoring
David Currie, The Interfaith Alliance
Karen Levit, National Civil Rights Counsel ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
Cheryl Iroka, Church School – Teacher The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
Zoe Travers
Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association
Andrew J. Wicks, Director of Youth Ministries and Special Missions First Church of Christ (UCC)
Jon Cohen, Director of Community Mobilization, Keshet
Dozens of Christian clergy, rabbi’s and community leaders endorsed the statement, including:
Dr. Wilhelmina Perry (Founder Emeritus, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent), Mark Edward Pettis (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Manager, United Church of Christ), Jeff Mummert (Treasurer and Board Member, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth), Rev. Alba Onofrio (Co-Executive Director, Soulforce), Tanya Tassi (National Community Center Policy Manager, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers), Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies), Danny Cortez (Executive Director, Estuary Space), Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church), Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen (Executive Director, Parity), Rabbi Denise L Eger (Senior Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami), Reverend Wes Mullins (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis), Reverend Lucy LaRocca (Zion Episcopal Church), Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas (Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), Reverend Robert Schoenhals (Ferndale First United Methodist Church), The Rev. Tom Fehr (Episcopal Church), Reverend Ashley Birt, Affirming Youth Ministries, Ross Murray (Deacon, GLAAD), The Rev. Sandra John (Soul Awakening), Reverend Glynden Bode (UMC), Rabbi Joshua Strom (Congregation B’nai Yisrael), Reverend Dr. Fran Mayes (retired MCC), Reverend Jim Cunningham (Chaplain/Pastor United Church of Christ), Rev. Charles Graves IV (Campus Minister Houston Canterbury, Episcopal Diocese of Texas), The Rev. M.E. Eccles (St. Martin’s Episcopal Church), Reverend Bobbi Anderson (Church of the Savior UCC), Reverend Don Storey (United Methodist Church), Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton (Trinity Episcopal Church), Reverend Katherine Katsanis-Semel (MCC SD), Reverend Lea Matthews (St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church), The Rev Gwen Fry (Episcopal priest, The Episcopal Church), Jillian Westerfield (Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston), Reverend Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra (Westminster Presbyterian Church), Reverend Mark Lukens (Bethany Congregational UCC), Reverend Andria Davis (Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship Cathedral of Hope, UCC), Rabbi Andrew Paley (Rabbi Temple Shalom), Reverend Pamela Werner (St. James Lutheran), Pastor Dan De Leon (Senior Pastor, Friends Congregational Church, United Church of Christ), Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, (SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All), Pastor David Weasley (Pastor for Youth, Young Adults, & Mission First Congregational Church of Bellingham), Tehilah Eisenstadt (Director of Yachad & Family Education, CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him), Reverend James Waugh (United Methodist Church), Reverend Dr. Michael Diaz (Executive Pastor, Discipleship & Strategy, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ), Reverend Erin Wyma (Associate Minister of Next Generations, United Church of Christ), Reverend Bruce Lamb (The Riverside Church), Minister Årelis Figueroa (La Iglesia del Pueblo), Reverend Michael Livingston (Interim Senior Minister The Riverside Church, NYC), Reverend Dr. Karyn Carlo (American Baptist), Reverend Jonathan Favors-Grimes (Olive Tree Community), Pastor Dave Ferguson (Seventh-day Adventist Kinship), Reverend Krissy (Epiphany United Church of Christ), Pastor Marguerite Sheehan (Trinity Church), The Rev. Anne (Episcopal Diocese of Arizona), Reverend Jason Carson Wilson (Founding Executive Director, Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative), Reverend Kori Pacyniak (Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community), (North Unitarian Universalist Church in Lewis Center), Reverend Nathan Empsall (Executive Director, Faithful America), Minister Jenn Tafel (Grounded Cove Living), Reverend Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries, Cameron Partridge (Steering Committee Member TransEpiscopal), Fr. Marek Bozek (Priest and Pastor St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church), Reverend Angie Cox (Broad Street United Methodist Church), Minister Anita Mortimer (Retired Community of Christ), Reverend Rachael Hayes (Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst), Reverend Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina, and Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association.
Signatures came from the following states and countries:
Ohio, New York, Alabama, California, North Carolina, Texas, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon and overseas in the United Kingdom.
All comments from our endorsers:
We are all God’s children, without qualification! I join with interfaith partners in condemning Texas House Bill 25 as discriminatory and contrary to God’s embrace of all.
Reverend Michael Livingston Interim Senior Minister, The Riverside Church, NYC
I stand in solidarity with transgender children. All God’s children should be treated with love, respect, dignity and equity.
Mojubaolu O. Okome, Professor of Political Science, Brooklyn College City University of New York
Love and support from Wisconsin for the cause!! It is sad that politicians continue to hurt children all in the name of politics.
Zachary Bennett
The grassroots Christian members of Faithful America love and support our country’s transgender youth as being made in the image of God – each and every one. We call on Governor Abbott and other Texas lawmakers to recognize the inherent dignity of these young individuals and allow them to play on the proper sports teams that match their God-given identity.
Reverend Nathan Empsall
Let kids be who they are.
Terry Lombardi
Blessings to all as we continue the fight for our beloved transgender community.
Reverend Erin Wyma, Associate Minister of Next Generations
Let trans children be children.
Stuart Leung
It is my privilege to have walked beside a number of students as they wrestled with transitioning. I wholeheartedly support their personhood, and the internal, holy, voice which defines their true personhood.
Frances Nicholson, Retired California teacher and theater critic, current proud Presbyterian
This is a crucial moment for us to support transgender persons since they are under vicious assault by individuals and some elected officials.
Gary Richmond
We are all God’s children and we deserve to be treated as such.
Lorraine Burchall
I am transgender and I am a religious professional. Full Transgender inclusion is a tenet of my faith.
Thomas Earthman, Director of Religious Exploration
I am so grateful that people of faith are standing up for a community of people who need people to back them in the walk and seek justice for them…with them.
Reverend Bobbi Anderson, Church of the Savior, UCC
To persecute transgender youth is to persecute Christ himself.
Ross Murray, Deacon, GLAAD
As a long-time activist for racial, economic, and social justice since the late fifties (I am now 85), I heartily sign this petition.
Dr. Harold Kooden, Retired
The #1 value in our school is Tzelem Elohim – we are all made in the divine image, the #1 Jewish law is “save a life” I am signing as a Jew, parent, educator, colleague, and friend for both reasons.
Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad & Family Education CBE/Congregation Beth Elo-him
Everyone we hurt and exclude is Christ. Fortunately, everyone we love and include is also Christ. Let’s get this right and be of loving service to one another.
Sean, parishioner West End Collegiate Church
The ability to play team sports was integral to becoming who I am. However, I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I’d been able to transition as a young person AND be able to engage in sports that aligned with my gender identity. Please don’t exclude transgender kids from those opportunities.
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Sports promote confidence, self-awareness, physical and mental wellbeing, teamwork, and encourage growth, leadership, and engagement across backgrounds and experiences. To deny these opportunities to any child is harmful. Everyone is a child of God and should be treated as such.
Rev. Andria Davis, Executive Pastor of Digital Experience and Worship, Cathedral of Hope
Discriminating against transgender people (especially youth & children!) is not Christian. Defending them is.
Rosina Snow, Dir. of Christian Discipleship Wesley Memorial UMC
I believe in inclusivity.
Reverend Don Storey, United Methodist Church
I am a rabbi and the mom of a transgender child and a non-binary child. I know first hand from both seats how vital it is to protect trans children, whose lives are at stake.
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All
Every human carries God’s DNA as a child of God. God would not deny any of them health care!
Every child of God is loved by God unconditionally. Every child‚ every trans child‚ deserves respect, equal opportunity in life including sports!
Rev Jim Cunningham, Chaplain/Pastor United Church Of Christ
Thank you for your continuing faith and work on behalf of our transgender youth, some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Millicent Bain, Layperson Church of the Redeemer
These young people are more at risk and deal with much pain because of people’s lack of acceptance. Provide them with acceptance and opportunities.
Reverend Pamela Werner, St. James Lutheran
Transgender Rights are Human Rights.
Jeff Mummert, Treasurer and Board Member New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth
As a church community, we welcome all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe that trans women and girls are female and trans men and boys are male and that God loves them as such. We aspire to create an affirming space where transgender and non-binary people feel welcome and loved and where intersectional diversity is normalized and embraced.
Monica McCormack, Church Administrative Assistant Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
All children deserve to be protected. Any law that would diminish a child’s right to thrive in school and sports must be challenged as being anti-democratic.
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Director of the African-American Roundtable Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies
Our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being, including children and LGBTQIA+ children.
Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity Episcopal Church
As an educator for many years in many different roles, I have always tried to embrace the diversity we have always had in education. We have not always served those differences well. This is an opportunity to help all students achieve to their fullest ability.
Patricia Mae MacArthur, New Hope UU
Sports done well are more than a venue for dominance. Kids learn teamwork, belonging, heart, and so many other valuable lessons. Trans kids deserve to learn these things, and their cisgender teammates will learn them more fully when everyone gets to participate.
Rev. Rachael Hayes, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
Every child can and should have the support they need to thrive. Across faith and place, we celebrate the inherent dignity and worth of transgender youth and urge our leaders to do the same. No child should feel unsafe or unwelcome at school because of who they are.
Katy Joseph, Director of Policy & Advocacy Interfaith Alliance
This law should be abolished immediately.
Mr. George Smith, Cathedral of Hope
I support transgender children.
Dr. Katherine Ellis
TransEpiscopal stands with all trans/nonbinary youth and their families in the midst of legislative efforts like this one that seek to keep us from living and flourishing as our authentic selves.
Cameron Partridge, TransEpiscopal Steering Committee Member
Lake Street Church supports the right of all children to access the activities they are passionate about in affirming and dignified ways
Jillian Westerfield, Associate Pastor for Children and Families Lake Street Church of Evanston
Governor Greg Abbott, know that people of faith stand with our Transgender siblings and that the God we know would welcome all children to come live, laugh and play.
Rev. Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Senior Pastor Essentials for Life Ministries
Calling a special session to target transgender youth brings immorality to a new level. Although Gov. Abbott and his allies have used God and Christian faith to justify this psychological terrorism, let me be clear. God loves all her children. Period.
Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, Founding Executive Director Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative
A healthy society is governed by love and action.
LaSonya Thompson, Executive Producer InterFaith Film & Music Festival
Let the children play together.
Mx. Sulkiro Song, HA:N UMC
Let Trans Kid Play!
M.K. Mcclaskey
Every child deserves equal rights.
Crystal Walcutt, Regional Commissioner AYSO 8/A/1597
We need to support ALL children!!!
Cheryl Iroka, Church School – Teacher The Riverside Church In The City Of New York
All children have a right to participate in sports.
Reverend Ali KC Bell, Unitarian Universalist Association