In the last few years, institutional opposition to the transgender community has increased exponentially. Hundreds of anti-transgender bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the United States. Elected officials are making untruthful and slanderous statements. Official anti-transgender statements from Christian Judicatories are emerging. This institutional oppression is creating an increasing burden on the transgender and nonbinary community, especially our youth. Attempted suicide rates among adolescents are already at epidemic proportions.
There is some good news in the midst of all of this horror. The research is clear, just as all of this oppression negatively affects the transgender community, signs of individual and institutional support have a positive effect on transgender persons. Followers of Jesus can send a powerful, life-affirming message, to the transgender community.
AWAB stands with our transgender and nonbinary kindred as the realities of human hatred and harm continue to denigrate the dignity of them with whom we live, love, and learn. AWAB calls on its member congregations and ministries to speak out against bigotry that pervades our communities, school systems, and legislative bodies across our lands.
We encourage congregations and ministries to hold vigils, write your legislators, issue statements of congregational support, write letters to the editor in your local newspapers, contact AWAB for resources, fly a pride flag in front of your church and from pulpits and in pews encourage all to pursue an inclusive love that knows no bounds and embraces all of God’s children.
To our transgender and nonbinary kindred: we see you; we hear you; we stand with you; we love you.
Since 1993, AWAB has been supporting churches and ministries in being and becoming Welcoming and Affirming of all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. We work as individuals, congregations, regional groupings, and as a national body to advance the Radical Welcome and Love of God in Jesus Christ. AWAB has over 140 member congregations and ministries throughout the United States, Canada, and the world.