Trans Affirming Churches

How to Celebrate Gender-Variant People and Their Loved Ones

by Christina Beardsley and Chris Dowd. Foreword by Dr. Susannah Cornwall

This inclusive and welcoming guide shows churches how to create an accepting atmosphere for the trans community. It offers practical guidance about how to respond to trans people's pastoral needs through church and chaplaincy, and weaves contemporary first-hand accounts and inclusive examples of scripture throughout.

There remains a lack of knowledge and understanding about trans people in the church, and trans people who are religious can experience bias in their faith communities. With the help of their many years of experience working with trans people negotiating their relationships with religious institutions, the authors (one of whom is trans) have created this accessible, valuable guide that will educate and improve churches' relationship with trans people.

Combining first-hand interviews, the authors' own experiences and scripture analysis, this thought-provoking guide uses this combination of ancient and contemporary stories to outline a theology that welcomes and includes all people whatever their gender identity or sexual orientation. Written from this inclusive Christian perspective, the book answers questions about trans people that are specific to church communities.

9781785925320, paperback