By: Brian Harris

Brian Harris — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 12:25:48 +0000

In reply to Kenny Ho. Thanks Kenny. Lots of great questions and insights here.

By: Kenny Ho

Kenny Ho — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:02:18 +0000

Thanks Brian for writing on this difficult and sensitive subject. Thanks for including a brief theological exploration of Gender Dysphoria (GD). I guess the Disability Framework is a compassionate framework in itself as it views GD as a condition that requires support and intervention. It is also appreciated that you acknowledged the fact that GD is a real experience that sparks anxiety in a transgender person and it might not be a personal and voluntary choice. A few ABC TV documentaries showed that some kids display GD in their early years indicating to me that GD may not be a learnt behaviour. Transgender people remain a minority at present but it may not stay like this for long as more transgender people openly acknowledge their gender orientation and pursue gender reassignment. I guess one difficulty for GD is that it is difficult to mask. The fact that a complete gender reassignment costs a lot of money and it is usually a journey of a few years at least means that there will be people who are in transit between gender or never reach a complete gender change. I had an experience of a transgender person visiting our workplace in the middle of our meeting and everyone was shocked particularly when this person’s birth gender is so identifiable by the voice. One can imagine how much this transgender person has to tolerate on a daily basis. The apparent issue is that we can identify transgender people easily while homosexual can sometimes be relatively subtle to detect. As far as every effort has put to uphold human right and equal opportunity, we all try to create an inclusive community as the best we can. Your conclusion of displaying compassion towards the transgender community is well appreciated.

However, how a church as a community of faith and love can cater for this emerging group of souls without prejudice can be quite a practical and liturgical challenge. We like to think church welcome everyone.I guess the younger generation in the church can befriend and be mixed with the transgender people without a huge mental and emotional barrier. I am all for compassion towards the transgender people but I am also worried that our genuine compassion may not bring the desired outcome of showing God’s love especially when acceptance is not consistent across the board. At the congregational level, the door is opened and all are welcome to the church. At the leadership level, how would the leadership team accommodate a transgender person? Can they be a church leader or can they lead a ministry? At the pastorship level, will the church appoint or ordain a transgender pastor? At liturgical level, can a pastor marry a transgender couple? How much a transgender person might need to disclose regarding their birth gender in a relationship? Should all new church building also build a unisex toilet? If we view GD as a condition that the transgender person is suffering from it, the church will need to treat them the same as every church member in all domains. If a transgender person is welcome to the church but not welcome to lead despite his/her spiritual maturity and obvious gifts in that particular ministry, it may unfortunately make the church look like a hypocrite. It may hurt rather than build the transgender person. Another word of thought is that does a transgender person want us to include them out of our compassion or out of our love for humanity because we believe we are all created equal. This may be worth pondering by putting ourselves into their shoes. Really, I just find myself do not have adequate knowledge and wisdom to understand the complexity of this situation in the church context. I am really looking forward to reading and listening more on this subject in question in order that I understand how God wants us to love and care for the souls of the transgender people. God bless.

By: Clare

Clare — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:18:38 +0000

Thanks Brian for a thought-provoking article. While hermaphroditism is a separate issue, I wonder what those who believe in the integrity framework would have to say about that? Those who have both male and female organs are just as much God’s creation but whichever way they turn, they would apparently be sinning.

I also like your ending on the need for compassion. I don’t think we will ever have all the answers and we simply have to “let God be God” and trust Him for a fair outcome on judgment day.

By: Sherryle Lane

Sherryle Lane — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:36:35 +0000

A very difficult topic to address, thanks Brian. I especially liked the way you ended….’in fact I doubt that compassion can ever be an error’.

By: Michael Behr

Michael Behr — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:25:53 +0000

Thanks for this Brian….certainly enlightening

By: Allen Browne

Allen Browne — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 05:25:17 +0000

Brian, thank you for sharing your thoughts on a topic we need to discuss. Appreciated.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:26:59 +0000

Thankful as usual that you are tackling issues that as you say, we (the church) often prefer to ignore. The book and different perspectives is also helpful.