Transgender Discourse: Are We Helping or Hurting?

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk here in Colorado over transgender rights. In particular, Colorado passed House Bill 25-1312, also known as the Kelly Loving Act. Kelly Loving was a transgender person who was killed in the Club Q mass shooting in 2022. The bill requires that places of public accommodation honor transgender pronouns, gender identity and chosen names. This affects schools, places of work, and other public entities.

There was a lot of reaction to the bill in its original form, which included measures to consider a parent’s use of the “wrong” pronouns and using a person’s dead name (the name given at birth, before transition) in custody hearings. This portion of the bill was removed.

Churches are largely exempt from the measures laid out in the new law. However, there have been a number of issues raised with camps and other Christian facilities that are unwilling to make these accommodations (restrooms, sleeping arrangements, showers, etc…) due to the beliefs of those running these facilities. You may have heard of Camp IdRaHaJe and its ongoing lawsuit.

Is the conversation helpful?

When I see and hear all the discourse around this topic (and others related to LGBTQ people), I feel confused, hurt, and stressed out. The political debates back and forth often seem to forget the individuals who are being directly affected. On one side we have the fear that women and children will be unsafe. On the other, we have people afraid that their healthcare and rights will be diminished. Even making those two statements above highlights the massive disconnect between these groups of people. I can hear the responses in my head. “You have more to fear from a heterosexual man than a trans person!” Or, “They need mental healthcare, not hormones!”

In May, my wife and I attended the annual Colorado Prayer Luncheon, a gathering of around a thousand Christian leaders. We prayed for our state, nation and our leaders. The leader of the event read a couple of letters that Governor Polis shared with him. One letter was from a Christian who was scolding Polis for his political stances, his lifestyle (Polis is gay), and denounced him to hell. The next letter was more positive from another Christian, respectfully disagreeing with the direction of our state with regards to LGBTQ topics and wanted to come to the table together to discuss a way forward. The point was that healthy discourse was favorable to raging at one another. I’m not sure if that type of discourse is possible, but I hope we continue to be willing to try.

What is the third way?

At Where Grace Abounds, we’ve always tried to find the third way. When we are presented with two extreme responses (which are usually the only viewpoints elevated by the media), we stop and ask, “What is God’s heart on this issue?” How can we speak to the heart of the trans person (or their family members) when the individual seems to be lost in the discussion about trans rights? How do we come alongside parents who love their children deeply and yet disagree with their choices? While policy obviously affects people, I wonder if the angry conversation about the policy causes as much or more damage?

Whatever you believe about transgender issues, trans men and women are not treated as people. They are used as talking points to either push forward legislation or create fear. Trans people are not tools to promote a bill for or against anything, not freaks to be shunned or rejected. They are people.

As Christians, are we sharing the Gospel in a way that reaches people or pushes them away? Government policy is not the Gospel, but our hearts and attitudes are a reflection of the Gospel at work (or not) in our lives.

Pray with us?

When we don’t know what to do, how to respond, where to turn… we go to Jesus. Will you join us as we pray?

Lord, we don’t know wat to do.

We see hurting people before us…People wrestling with their gender identity…People afraid for their children and their community… Parents of trans kids are hurting too and are trying to love their children well.

We know, Lord, that these issues matter to You.

By and large, we don’t know how to honor You and Your creation and show love and compassion to those who are hurting.

Show us, as people of faith, how to be both graceful and truthful, a light in the darkness for those on both sides of the battle lines.

Amen

Thanks for joining with us in prayer and ministry to those who are hurting. May we reflect God’s love wherever we go.