Transgender

A black and white photograph of a key on a wooden door.

Open The Locks With Love

By pwsbuilder / January 6, 2015 / Comments Off on Open The Locks With Love

My hope is that by being openly-transgender, people will see our truths more clearly. How sad that any young person would not be able to believe they can be their authentic self. My heart is broken but my resolve is re-doubled again. I hate the ignorance and the religious intolerance that precipitates actions like the…

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A christmas tree in front of a staircase.

Season Of Waiting: A Queer Catholic Advent

By pwsbuilder / December 18, 2014 / Comments Off on Season Of Waiting: A Queer Catholic Advent

Advent for, many Catholics, is a time of patience and reflection, a time of wonder and amazement. This Advent for me is a lot different than the last. Last Advent I was struggling to tell my family that I was transgender, struggling to voice how unhappy I had been. But since that last Advent I…

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A group of people holding signs that say justice.

Saying “Yes” To Life

By pwsbuilder / December 16, 2014 / Comments Off on Saying “Yes” To Life

Etched in my memory on a daily basis these days are the Black men who have been killed over the last several months by people whose task it was to protect and serve them. As a black, queer trans-identified male, who is also aware of the violence too often inflicted upon queer and Trans bodies…

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A person's hand making a heart shape at sunset.

Love-Based Activism

By pwsbuilder / December 8, 2014 / Comments Off on Love-Based Activism

If my purpose is to create change, to help bring about the end of legalized discrimination against LGBT people, my actions should be such that they are effective at bringing about that change. If I want to help people understand what it is like to be transgender, I need to present a message that more…

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Two men in tuxedos walking down the aisle.

Beyond Marriage: There’s Work Left To Be Done

By pwsbuilder / November 24, 2014 / Comments Off on Beyond Marriage: There’s Work Left To Be Done

The recent appearance of pastors and churches declaring their willingness to perform marriages for same-sex couples has led to some of the most amazing imagery of the marriage equality struggle. Imagery the likes of which seemed all too impossible not long ago, especially in the deeply-red states of America. The pictures and stories of courage…

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A group of people holding a transgender flag in a city.

10 Transgender Christians Share Their Journey Stories

By pwsbuilder / November 21, 2014 /

Today is the final day of Transgender Awareness Week, which culminated yesterday with vigils around the world for Transgender Day of Remembrance. As an ally to the transgender community, I recommitted myself yesterday to ensure that our conversations about equality always include members of the transgender community. For me, part of this means finding ways…

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A group of candles lit in a dark room.

A Prayer For Transgender Day Of Remembrance

By pwsbuilder / November 20, 2014 /

Today, let us pray to whatever Universal energy, whatever God, whatever entity we feel resonates most with our intentions. Let us remember to hold space for all the trans people that have unfairly lost their lives due to discrimination, due to violence and due to the indifference of those who remain silent. Universe allows us…

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Lit candles in front of a statue in a church.

A Christian Calling For Transgender Day Of Remembrance

By pwsbuilder / November 19, 2014 / Comments Off on A Christian Calling For Transgender Day Of Remembrance

Trigger warning: discussions of transphobia, violence, and suicide. Last week, a friend sent me a news report about an attack on transgender activist Candice Rose Milligan, who lives in Toledo, Ohio. She has been released from the hospital following two surgeries, including one to wire her jaw closed until it heals. It was broken as…

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A woman standing in front of a glass door with a sign that says respect.

Transgender Faith Tour Extends Reach Beyond Kansas

By pwsbuilder / October 9, 2014 / Comments Off on Transgender Faith Tour Extends Reach Beyond Kansas

Four months ago, I decided to begin what I called the Transgender Summer of Faith Tour. My hope was to speak at as many institutions of faith in and around the state of Kansas over the course of the summer. By all accounts, it has been quite successful. I have been blessed with the opportunity to present…

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Lgbt pride flags in the fall.

Back-To-School Not Welcoming To All LGBTQ Students

By pwsbuilder / September 26, 2014 / Comments Off on Back-To-School Not Welcoming To All LGBTQ Students

It’s back-to-school season for most and stepping back into the scene isn’t easy for a lot of students—especially LGBTQ students. LGBTQ-phobias abound in the hallowed halls of higher learning. Unfortunately, we even have to confront them here in Massachusetts, an A+ queer-friendly state. I pray for LGBTQ freshman students walking into Gordon College. Most will…

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