What does transgender mean? +
Transgender is a word used by many people whose self-experienced gender does not match the gender that they were assigned at birth. For example, a transgender person might be someone who identifies and lives as a woman but whose birth-assigned sex was male. Other transgender people identify as somewhere in between the societally recognized genders of man and woman, as neither, or as one gender at some times and another at other times. Transgender is the large category used to cover all of these experiences.
What does gender non-conforming mean? +
Some people hold gender identities that are the same as their birth-assigned sex, but do not express their gender identity in ways that conform to societal and/or cultural expectations. Gender non-conforming is often used to describe these people.
What does trans* mean? +
Trans* is a relatively new general term used to refer to transgender and gender non-conforming people.
What does cisgender mean? +
Cisgender describes a person whose birth-assigned sex and gender identity are the same. For example, a person whose birth-assigned sex is female and who holds a feminine gender identity is a cisgender person. The terms sex and gender identity do not mean the same thing. Sex is a biological term used to describe a person’s body and is defined by a person’s chromosomes, hormones, brain sex, secondary sex characteristics, reproductive organs and genitalia. Gender identity is a cultural construct that refers to a person’s internal sense of self.
What does Two Spirit mean? +
Different cultures define sexuality and gender in ways that don’t follow the presumed American binary system. It is important to use the terms preferred by a person and seek to understand the cultural implications rather than using the terms you prefer. Two Spirit is a term from Native American culture.
What does Genderqueer mean? +
This refers to someone who identifies between male and female, neither, or both. This fluidity may be in time (identifying as male sometimes, female other times, and neither other times) or may be complex but static (identifying as in the middle all the time). Genderqueer people may or may not appear gender-nonconformist at any given time. Most genderqueer people use descriptions to explain how they view their own gender. Some genderqueer people choose to use no pronouns for themselves or gender neutral pronouns (such as Ze [pronounced zee] for she or he and Zir [pronounced zeer] for her or his). Others may prefer the pronouns they, them and their, or ask that their name be used instead of pronouns.
Doesn’t the Bible say that people shouldn’t be transgender or crossdress? +
There is only one verse in the whole Bible that directly refers to anything that sounds like cross-dressing or transgender identity: "A woman shall not wear a man’s apparel, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whoever does such things is abhorrent to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 22:5 (NRSV) However, later in the same chapter it says: “You shall not wear clothes made of wool and linen woven together. You shall make tassels on the four corners of the cloak with which you cover yourself” (22:11-12). Deuteronomy 22 continues, with instructions that a woman whose hymen is broken before marriage is to be stoned to death. Most Bible scholars today recognize these verses are part of the Old Testament codes of purity for ancient Israel. We don’t follow them today because they don’t match with the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament freedom from rules that lead us away from loving our neighbors. Many Christians don’t follow the verses in the New Testament restricting the religious and social roles for women for the same reasons, as they lead to inequality and mistreatment, which seems to be against loving our neighbors.
Are there any scripture passages which can help affirm trans* people? +
Many scripture passages are particularly helpful in freeing us from gender oppression: "But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:25-29 (NRSV) Clothed in Christ, no longer ultimately tied to being male or female, in our baptismal call we can all work together against sexism and homophobia as we are also called to work against economic injustice, racism, and all other oppressions.
Are there any scripture passages which can help affirm trans* people? +
Many scripture passages are particularly helpful in freeing us from gender oppression: "But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:25-29 (NRSV) Clothed in Christ, no longer ultimately tied to being male or female, in our baptismal call we can all work together against sexism and homophobia as we are also called to work against economic injustice, racism, and all other oppressions.