RELIGIOUS leaders have said transgender people are “loved by God” and “welcome” after a report said they shouldn’t be prohibited from becoming members or holding office positions.
The Church of Scotland said transgender people are “worthy of respect and love” after a report, from the Theological Forum, said there should be no consideration of sex or gender for anyone joining or holding an office position.
The Theological Forum stressed that the report does not reflect the place of transgender people in Scottish society and their rights under civil law or the relation of these rights to those of others.
A General Assembly backed a decision to promote learning and awareness of the issues transgender and gender non-conforming people experienced back in 2016.
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The Church of Scotland also worked in partnership with the Scottish Trans Alliance to produce a pastoral support booklet called Diverse Gender Identities and Pastoral Care.
The booklet is a collection of stories from trans people and their family members in Scotland connected to the Church, and includes several questions for further reflection.
Speaking about the Theological Forum's report, convener Rev Dr Liam Fraser said that the General Assembly previously endorsed a memorandum of understanding against conversion practices.
He said: “We have spoken with transgender Christians and have also spoken with a Christian de-transitioner, someone who transitioned in the past, but has now de-transitioned back to their birth gender.
“We believe that transgender people should be loved, and respected, and welcomed in our congregations.
“It is the foundation of Christian ethics that all people are made in the image of God, and are worthy of our respect and love, and this is true of transgender people also.
“Based on our exploration of gender in the Bible, the Forum is also unanimous in believing that transgender people should not only be welcomed in our church, but allowed to serve in our Church.
“The Church should not treat transgender people differently from others, but after considering their giftings and callings, should admit them to office if we believe God wills it.
“By focusing on the importance of welcome, and the ability of God to use every Christian for service, we believe our report offers the Church a route through a debate that has, at times, become toxic, and allows us to model a better way of engaging with issues of gender.”
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