Trans Christian - Tumblr Posts
Trans-inclusive language in religious texts is SO IMPORTANT. There is nothing in some young people’s lives that can either validate or dehumanize them so quickly as how they see themselves represented in the words of their religion.
May all who need to see these words find them.
writing poetry comparing top surgery scars to Christ's side wound because i have a normal relationship to the world in general.
“god created them male and female” WRONG. CURSE OF GALATIANS 3:28 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️‼️‼️‼️‼️
thinking about jesus’s scars and this. thinking about how people demand proof of trans suffering in order to acknowledge them as people worthy of being. thinking about how thomas did the same thing to our brother jesus. thinking about how jesus will always always always be on the side of trans people
Being queer and a Christian is often very difficult. I experience alienation from both sides. Often these two parts of myself feel impossible to reconcile. But, I want to share something beautiful that my priest does that nearly makes me weep every time. The Orthodox Church is not known for its inclusivity or progressiveness. It is ancient and its gears turn slowly. During Holy Communion, those who are not confirmed members of the Church may come forward for a blessing. The blessing is done by gender.
"The servant of God [Name] is blessed..." for men,
"The handmaid of God [Name] is blessed..." for women.
The first time I went up for a blessing, I was hesitant. My gender is no secret and I do not try to hide my queerness. Which blessing would I receive? With sadness, I concluded the priest would do what was simplest and default to my assigned gender.
I stood before him and bowed my head, arms crossed over my (noticeably growing) chest. He raised the golden chalice over my head and lovingly said:
"The beloved of God Quinn is blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen "
He has done this ever since and with this simple action, preaches one of the main, if oft forgotten pillars of Orthodoxy: It does not matter who you are, what pronouns you use, what colour your hair is, what clothes you wear, what mistakes you've made, what trials you have overcome, where you came from or where you are. You are beloved of God just as you are. You are created in the Image of God and are a sacred vessel of beauty, and there is a place for you here.
This is true inclusivity. Not the white liberal veneer placed on so many churches where the cishet, boomer congregation pats themselves on the back for the rainbow flag outside while actively misgendering the trans person sitting in the pew. My priest has not given any big speeches talking about how everyone is loved here. He doesn't have to. His genuine kindness and that of my fellow parishioners are the only sermon marginalised people need to hear. In these moments, the two parts of myself become one and I truly believe that the God I love delights in me.
How do other queer Christians deal with anger and hate towards others? I could use some advice..
Man, christians scare the shit out of me. And I'm a Christian. Fuck lol
So, something I've come to realize, is that I'm not actually genderfluid like I thought I was. I'm definitely a trans guy through and through (he/him), and it's been a little hard for me to come to terms with (thank you traditional gender roles and how that applies to life in the church /sarcasm).
I think, for me personally, I was using the term genderfluid as a way to not have to come out completely. If I believed my own gender to be fluid, that means there would be a part of me that was a woman, and I could go about my life pretending that my individual femininity meant I'm a woman in some way shape or form even though I never really felt that way, and that seemed to be what a few members of my family wanted, and I just wanted to please everyone and not rock the boat.
But I've come to realize I can't keep hiding behind terms that simply don't fit me. I can't lie to myself about who I am, and more importantly, I can't lie to God about who I am, either. He already knows every part of me. He knows my heart and soul, even when I try to hide it. But I think that means He also loves every part of me, even this part -- after all, He is the one who made me.
I'm thankful for my journey of self discovery. I feel like so many things have finally started to connect about me when before I felt like nothing about me made sense. I feel closer to my Lord and Saviour than I ever have, probably in my entire life.
I don't know why God made me or any other person trans (weather they be binary or otherwise) or gay or bi or anything else, but I trust that it's a part of His plan for me, and I rejoice in the truth of His everlasting love.
This Pride Month I pray that all of my LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters and siblings in Christ feel loved and accepted and confident in not only who they are, but also in the love of our God. He made us exactly who we're meant to be, even if our journeys look a little different next to other Christians. I pray everyone stays safe, whether you're out marching in a parade or silently celebrating in your heart.
Happy Pride Month! God bless! 🏳️🌈💕
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~ Romans 8:38-39
(That's probably my favorite Bible verse for when I need the reminder that nothing can make God stop loving me, and I'm sure other LGBTQIA+ Christian's could use the reminder, too ❤)
I got myself a new Bible yesterday and I'm really excited to start using it! It's a standard Bible that I got at Walmart, and to others it's probably nothing special--navy blue imitation leather, King James Version, red letters for the words Jesus spoke and full color maps in the back. It cost around $14 after tax. The print is a comfortable size, and there's a blue ribbon page marker. It's just a nice, standard Bible, not even mildly fancy like my family Bible that's white imitation leather with illustrations throughout and gold trimmed pages that was passed down from my great grandmother, to my mother, and then to me a few years ago.
So why am I so excited about this Bible?
Because it's the first Bible I've gotten since coming out as a trans man.
It feels like a fresh start with my journey of faith. I've honestly strayed away from my other Bibles (a Hands On one that I got when I entered Sunday School; a children's Bible with nice illustrations but small print that was a gift for mt fifth birthday from our then-Pastor's wife; a small pink New Testament Bible that was a gift to my late father from myself when I was in elementary school). They all have my deadname written inside, and it felt too much like those copies weren't really for me. It was more like they were for the little girl and young woman people thought they were gifting them to.
But this new copy of God's word is a new start. It doesn't erase my past with the Church or my previous struggles with faith due to being trans and gay. It doesn't take away the sleepless nights of wondering who I am and why God made me this way, or the angry, tear-filled prayers to a God that, at the time, I wasn't even sure was listening. But it is a starting point for myself to really move forward from that, to let myself let go of some of the baggage I've been carrying in my faith life and start a new journey, this one filled with self love and joy instead of despair and grief for a girl who never even really existed in the first place. Every time I see my correct name in the front, it's a little reminder to myself that I'm the only one who can define who I am and my relationship with the Lord. My faith is my own, and no one else gets to dictate it.
I've been highlighting some favorite verses of mine throughout the day with colored pencils and exploring some of the maps, and I've started reading Genesis, too! I promised myself I would read the Bible this year, and I'm grateful that I can do it with a brand new one that I can use moving forward! 💙
Hey, op! I just wanted to say really quick that your blog is such an encouragement to me. I am also trans and a Christian, and navigating my relationship with God has been an interesting journey. I was told for so long that God said being queer was a terrible sin and that God's Word is perfect, so there must be something wrong with me. But the more I read His Word, which is perfect in every way, I have learned that instead of condemnation, He offers me unconditional love, both in word and spirit. It's so amazing to see someone who has a strong relationship with God who in turn fully loves who God made them.
Hi Anon!! 💕
I'm so glad that you like this blog so much! It means a lot to me to know that other LGBTQIA+ Christians can come to my little corner of the internet and have a safe space to go and find encouragement. Thank you so much! 🥺💕💖
It was a long journey to loving myself as God made me, not gonna lie, but once I got there and let myself separate from the idea that who I am is a sin, it was like my heart was fully open and I was truly rejoicing for the first time, you know? It felt like coming home. I hope you and every other sibling in Christ has found or will find that same feeling.
God Bless, friend!! 🤗💝
I was NOT prepared for the amount of gender envy I would feel from Jesus and his disciples in The Chosen