Discussion Group: Becoming Trans Allies
Last November marked the 11th annual observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a memorial for transgender people murdered in the past year. In the United States, current statistics show that one in 12 transgender people will lose their lives to violence at the hands of another person. In addition to threats of violence, trans-people face institutional and individual bigotry and hatred in the workplace, in health care, from governmental agencies, and in most every other part of life. For most people living as the sex they were born into, the difficulties associated with transition and life outside “traditional” gender lines are, if not unimaginable, at least unimagined.
Gaia Community's commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation includes extending our hospitality and support to people of any gender. But is that enough? How can we enhance that commitment and take it outside of our circles? How can we become allies to the transgender community? Is there anything we can do to help?
At this forum, we'd like to open a discussion within the community about how we might support our members who are transgender or genderqueer, and the wider trans community, inside and outside our church services.
