Trans Day of Visibility: Proudly Christian…and Non-Binary

I am nonbinary, which many consider to be under the trans umbrella. Needless to say, being openly nonbinary is a challenge in the face of not only white Christian nationalism but also because of the hostility and casual disdain of many Christians- even those that pride themselves on being the opposite of White Evangelical Christianity. Within White Mainline Protestantism, there are congregations and denominations that are proudly welcoming to trans and nonbinary people. Two welcoming denominations that immediately come to mind include The Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ (Though individual congregations may vary).

But even amongst Mainline Protestants, the disdain amongst some congregations/denominations/individuals is evident. The snide remarks, the “well it doesn’t matter to me, but why do they have to make such a big deal out of their gender identity? Why do they have to talk about it all the time?” Or, as someone drawn to Roman Catholic Social Teaching and whose first foray into non-evangelical theologies was liberation theology, it was disappointing though not surprising to attend a Roman Catholic parish and for the priest to give a rant about the danger of “transgender ideology,” which of course was trying to “infect” good and innocent Catholic children.

But even within Mainline Protestants, there is the disdain amongst some congregations/denominations/individuals. The snide remarks, the “Well it doesn’t matter to me, but why do they have to make such a big deal out of their gender identity? Why do they have to talk about it all the time?” Or, as someone drawn to Roman Catholic Social Teaching and whose first foray into non-evangelical theologies was liberation theology, it was disappointing though not surprising to attend a Roman Catholic parish and for the priest to give a rant about the danger of “transgender ideology.”

And don’t get me started on many Black and Hispanic denominations and congregations, some of which are known for their progressive politics and commitment to social justice, and yet when it comes to welcoming trans people, that would be a step too far. Being trans and nonbinary is not the result of White supremacy; I would argue that perhaps hatred of us, is.

And yet, despite the very real disdain from many sects of Christianity and the very real danger posed by white Christian nationalist politicians, I remain openly and loudly nonbinary and Christian. I recognize doing so is a privilege, so for those who are not able to be out as trans or nonbinary, no judgment from me. Do what you need to do to remain safe.

I remain proudly and perhaps recklessly openly nonbinary and Christian because my nonbinary identity is a source of joy and also impacts my theology. I am happy to be nonbinary. Growing up in a church that had very rigid gender norms and that exclusively described God as “him”, it is freeing to break free from such a limited understanding of both being human and loving God. There is joy and freedom in unabashedly being who I am.

Additionally, my nonbinary identity not only matters in helping me understand who I am, but also in understanding God. The God I believe in isn’t limited to one gender but the perfect embodiment of all and none God has qualities often stereotyped as masculine and others stereotyped as feminine, and yet also transcends our narrow categories that limit gender expression to two identities.

A key part of Christian nationalism is the idea that there are set and rigid gender norms (even though some of the proponents aren’t exactly the epitome of masculinity or femininity…) that are ordained by God. Men are to be protectors, in charge, logical to the detriment of every other human faculty, brash, and cruel since empathy is viewed as feminine and therefore weak. Women are expected to be subservient, emotional, empathetic and therefore weak, their only purpose (especially if they are white) is to have many kids while serving their husband. Work, if allowed, shouldn’t get in the way of their primary role as caregivers.

And even amongst those who don’t identify as White Christian nationalists, the stereotypes remain prevalent. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love attending a Roman Catholic parish that has an abduance of children, but recognizing that this abundance of children, at least partly results from the ideology that marriage is between heterosexual people who are to reject birth control, abortion, and be open to have however many children “God decides” is problematic. In fact, that ideology is foundational to the Roman Catholics who have embraced Christian nationalism.

Just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with choosing to embrace stereotypical understandings of gender for oneself. There’s nothing wrong with having kids or with being heterosexual. The problem arises when such understandings are enshrined into ecclesiastical structures and political institutions. The problem arises when we decide that our limited human descriptions of God actually encompass the fullness of who God is. My nonbinariness reminds me that just as I am bigger than whatever gender norms society tries to box me into, so is God. The words we use to describe God are of course important, but they are by their nature, finite.

Moreover, being nonbinary and trans is subversive. People ask us, well why do we always have to talk about it. Why can’t we just be? We would love that. But we aren’t the ones who are making being trans and nonbinary some sort of statement against the status quo. If we were included instead of marginalized, then being trans and nonbinary would simply be another gender identity. But because we are ridiculed, excluded, and killed simply for who we are, being openly and proudly trans and nonbinary are acts of resistance against empire and structures of oppression.

God knows a thing or two about being subversive. In fact, throughout the Bible, there are stories of a God who acts contrary to what humanity expects. God becoming human, and not just any human but a poor, Palestinian Jewish person, rather than a powerful king, is evidence of a God who challenges the status quo-which is often built on violence and oppression. Yet because the religion that centers around Jesus is now a powerful tool of empire, it is easy to forget the counter-cultural roots of following Jesus. But it’s easy to remember those roots when one is part of a group that is hated for simply existing.

Embracing my trans and nonbinary identity pushes back the dominant narrative of shame that seems to encompass so much of the dominant society and the institutional Church. The idea of Catholic guilt is often joked about, but Mainline Protestants and Evangelicals have often embraced shame. Whether they acknowledge it or not, but quite a bit of Protestant theology relies on us being ashamed of who we are and argues that in order to move beyond that shame, God requires us to reject who we are. But embracing who I am as a nonbinary, queer person, is a way for me to fully embrace God’s love while rejecting the lies that shame brings forth. Too many Christians confuse the need for repentance from the harm we cause ourselves, other people, and God with the need to be trapped in shame and reject who we are. But God’s love destroys shame.

Image: a person that embodies both stereotypical images of masculinity and femininity:

Text: Rejecting trans people is not only a rejection of God, but the Church is also poorer for spurning the gifts, beauty and lessons that we bring.