Trans+ and Faith

As a society, we often have mixed views on faith and religion. We can see it as supportive, but also repressive, and freeing, but also restrictive. So how do trans+ people navigate faith? 

The short answer is simple: many different ways, like everyone else. That said, I am going to focus on things that people I have spoken to in-depth about it have shared. 

Will my religion accept me as Trans+?

Religion has sometimes been both someone’s support and their restriction. If you are told that the book that your religion is based on says that who you are is a sin, how do you navigate this? Are you in danger if you come out? 

Many trans+ people who I have talked with about this have gone back to these sources to see for themselves what it says. Some have found places of worship that are more inclusive. Some have left or changed religion. Some have decided to move to having only private faith – “it’s between me and God.” 

What do they gain or lose from making these changes? 

On the one hand, there is some increased freedom for many. On the other hand, it often means walking away from a support system that they may have had since birth. 

Sometimes it can be hard to separate faith and religion and for people to take forward the good that they have had in their religious community. How do you re-engage with a place of faith, when the previous one told you that you should not exist? How do you work out your own morals when you have spent your entire life being told what these morals should be? 

For someone trans+, it can be the same as for everyone else. It can also be that bit harder if they’ve had a specific experience or set of experiences. 

If you are a person of faith who wants trans+ people to have support, and might be able to offer us three hours a month of volunteering, please reach out, I would love to hear from you. You can find our contact page here.