Resources that support the unconditional welcome of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & their families in the church home of their choice.
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Resources that support the unconditional welcome of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & their families in the church home of their choice. | |||||||||
| Annotated Bibliography | Articles & Sermons | Educational Materials | Online Materials | Video & Audio |
Materials here are listed as potential resources, not as an endorsement by the Institute for Welcoming Resources. This does not represent a complete list of all available in this subject area. Some resources are older and may be out of print, but most are available from several online booksellers or each organization's website.
Boenke, Mary, editor, Trans Forming Families: Real Stories About Transgender Loved Ones, second edition, [New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2003; 192 pp., ISBN 0615123074].
This new edition features forty authors who share their personal journeys from the initial shock or resistance when first learning their loved ones (or they, themselves) were struggling with gender problems, through the various feelings, to final acceptance. The first of its kind, Trans Forming Families has become a best seller among transgendered persons and their allies. Arlene Ishtar Lev, noted trans-therapist, has written a lucid Foreword and Jessica Xavier's Introduction documents the constant public interest in trans-family relationships. Boenke is the mother of an adult MTF son, chair of P-FLAG's Transgender Network, a trans activist, and a retired psychotherapist.
In My Gender Workbook, Kate Bornstein brings theory down to Earth and provides a practical guide to living with or without a gender. Using a unique, deceptively simple and always entertaining workbook format, Bornstein gently but firmly guides you to discover your own unique gender identity. She also takes aim at recent efforts to naturalize gender differences, putting books like Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus squarely where they belong: on Uranus. If you don't think you are transgendered when you sit down to read this book, you will be by the time you finish it!
This book explores the relationships of female to male (FTM) transgender men and their female partners. Boyd explains the distinct societies within the transgender community, the effects of the closet, sexuality and the issues faced by the wives and girlfriends of transgender men. Although this book does not discuss faith issues in an extensive way, we include it here because it is written from the perspective of the wife of a transgender person and offers a unique viewpoint that is inclusive and resourceful for family members as well as transgender people.
Brown, Mildred L., and Chloe Ann Rounsley, True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism – For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals, reprint edition, [Lexington MA: Jossey-Bass, 2003; 288 pp., ISBN 0787967025].x`
Filled with wisdom and understanding, this groundbreaking book paints a vivid portrait of conflicts transsexuals face on a daily basis--and the courage they must summon as they struggle to reveal their true being to themselves and others. True Selves offers valuable guidance for those who are struggling to understand these people and their situations. Using real life stories, actual letters, and other compelling examples, the authors give a clear understanding of what it means to be transsexual. They also give other useful advice, including how to deal compassionately with these commonly misunderstood individuals--by keeping an open heart, communicating fears, pain and support, respecting choices.
Conover, Pat, Transgender Good News, [Silver Springs, MD: New Wineskins Press, 2002; 300 pp., ISBN 0971825637].
"To those who have dismissed, trivialized, or condemned, transgender experience as pathological, unnatural, or sinful, Transgender Good News presents formidable challenges from a first rate sociological and theological mind. To everyone still imprisoned by bi-polar gender assumptions, this book is a powerful corrective. To those in the fragmented, mostly hidden transgender community, this book bears the Gospel's good news of liberation. In short, out of her own experience, research, and exploration, Pat Conover has given us a stunning piece of work that will set the standard for the church's virtually unaddressed issue." - James B. Nelson
This stirring call for tolerance and solidarity from the acclaimed activist and author of Transgender Warriors collects Leslie Feinberg's speeches on trans liberation and its essential connection to the liberation of all people.
In this fascinating, personal journey through history, Leslie Feinberg uncovers persuasive evidence that there have always been people who crossed the cultural boundaries of gender. Transgender Warriors is an eye-opening jaunt through the history of gender expression and a powerful testament to the rebellious spirit.
Flunder, Rev. Yvette, Where the Edge Gathers: Building a Community of Radical Inclusion, [Pilgrim Press, 2005, ISBN: 0829816380].
Flunder’s excellent book is particularly prophetic on transgender issues.
Garber, Marjorie, Vested Interests: Cross-Dressing & Cultural Anxiety, [New York: Routledge Press, 1997; 456 pp., ISBN 0415919517].
"An absolutely fascinating look at gender-bending in the arts and everyday life… Well researched and wonderfully illustrated… Garber's work is scholarly, witty, perceptive and provocative - a sheer delight to read, consider and discuss. It's on of the best works of cultural criticism around - absolutely first-rate." - American Library Association Booklist
Mallon, Gerald P., Social Services with Transgendered Youth, [Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press, 2000; 163 pp., ISBN 156023136X].
Through personal narratives and case studies, Social Services with Transgendered Youth explores the childhood and adolescent experiences of transgendered persons. Addressing the differences between male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) individuals and identifying the specific challenges of transgendered persons from diverse races, cultures, and religious backgrounds, this compelling book offers suggestions that will help social workers and the youths’ families learn more about the reality of transgendered persons’ lives.
McClosky, Deirdre, Crossing: A Memoir, [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000; 282 pp., ISBN 0226556697].
We have read the stories of those who have "crossed" lines of race and class and culture. But few have written of crossing - completely and entirely - the gender line. Crossing is the story of Deirdre McCloskey (formerly Donald), once a golden boy of conservative economics and a child of 1950's and 1960's privilege, and her dramatic and poignant journey to becoming a woman. McCloskey's account of her painstaking efforts to learn to "be a woman" unearth fundamental questions about gender and identity, and hatreds and anxieties, revealing surprising answers.
Mollenkott, Virginia Ramey, Omnigender: A Trans-Religious Approach, [Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2001; 198 pp., ISBN 0829814221].
Mollenkott, Virginia Ramey and Sheridan, Vanessa, Transgender Journeys, [Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2003; 184 pp., ISBN 0829815775]
Based on their own journeys as transgendered Christians, Mollenkott and Sheridan have created an inspiring book about hope, opportunity, struggle, joy, difficulty, and transcendence. They offer information and inspiration while sharing real-life experiences about the joy and pain of being both Christian and gender-variant to illustrate how each person's enactment of their authentic self helps to create an environment that moves toward moral justice for all persons. Those who identify as gender-variant or are struggling with their own identity will find this book a useful companion on their journey. It is also a valuable resource for those seeking to help their communities take the next steps toward a more just society.
Approximately one in every two thousand infants born in the United States each year is sexually ambiguous in such a way that doctors cannot immediately determine the child's sex. Some children's chromosomal sexuality contradicts their sexual characteristics. Others have the physical traits of both sexes, or of neither. Drawing upon life history interviews with adults who were treated for intersexuality as children, Preves explores how such individuals experience and cope with being labeled sexual deviants in a society that demands sexual conformity. By demonstrating how intersexed people manage and create their own identities, often in conflict with their medical diagnosis, Preves argues that medical intervention into intersexuality often creates, rather than mitigates, the stigma these people suffer.
Sheridan, Vanessa, Crossing Over: Liberating the Transgendered Christian, [Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2001; 157 pp., ISBN 0829814469].
Transgendered author Vanessa Sheridan shares her experiences, gives various accounts from other transgendered individuals, and urges the church to move beyond the attitude of "compassionate condemnation" and fully accept transgendered people into its life and ministry.
Tanis, Justin Edwards, Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith, [Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2003; 210 pp., ISBN 0829815287].
Trans-Gendered is the first title in a new series sponsored by The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California. "I have always felt drawn to those on the margins of the religious landscape, both from personal conviction and because the Bible clearly tells us that that is where we can locate the divine. Following Jesus has meant, for me as a Christian, a continuing journey to the margins, to spend time with those that society may ridicule and isolate, to see the beauty and power of God working with them. Transgendered people clearly occupy a marginal space in Western society. I believe that when we go to the margins, we see God." - Justin Tanis. Tanis, a transgendered clergyperson seeks to explore the spiritual nature of transgendered persons, to listen to the stories of others like himself, and to give a positive voice to the community. Chapter topics include: an introduction to trans issues; gender variance and the Scriptures; transgendered people and faith communities; creating a genuine welcome for trans people in communities of faith; transgendered people and God; gender as a calling; transgendered body theology; and transgendered theological thought.
Tigert, Leanne McCall, and Tirabassi, Maren C., editors, Transgendering Faith: Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality, [Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2004; 162 pp., ISBN 0829814949].
Transgendering Faith is a resource to help churches respond with love and care to transgender people in our society, both those within the Christian community and those who find themselves-unhappily-outside its doors. It is also a book for transgender Christians, their families, pastoral counselors, and clergy. "I hope that the stories, poems, rites, and rituals contained in this book will help transgender people better understand themselves and bring them to an understanding of how blessed they-we-are in the eyes of God, our Creator." - Barbara Satin, moderator, United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns
Personal stories, articles, resources, etc. about transgender identities, experiences, and Christian life. This is included in the Open and Affirming (ONA) Study Packet (see Welcoming Church Resources).
- By the Grace of God: Writings for Families, Friends and Clergy
- Part I - Introduction: A Christian Response to Crossdresser and Transsexual
- Part II - Is God Against Us?
- Part III - Spiritual Encouragement for Crossdressers, the Transgendered and Transsexuals
- Part IV - Personal Correspondence 1997-2000
- Part V - A Christian Transsexual's Journey into Womanhood
- Part VI - Emergence
- Part VII - In-Depth Interpretations of Biblical Passages Concerning Crossdressing, Transgenderism and Transsexualism
- Part VIII - Epilog
- Index
Gender identity disorders are rare, painful and invisible to all but a tiny part of Iowa's population. A Sioux City man denied his condition for decades, until medical science and the Internet helped him find peace -- at a price.
Larry Jansen's duffel bag was filled with garter belts, high-heeled shoes and lacy underwear — a Victoria's Secret time bomb that immediately threatened to blow his family apart.
Imagine a little girl who at age 3 announces to her parents that she wishes she could be a boy and wondered why God had made her a girl...
CHARLES CITY — Renee and Mayetta Usher believe they may have found a new church. The Ushers of Charles City have experienced problems of acceptance at the churches they were attending, most recently Messiah Lutheran Church.
In "Made in God’s Image: A Resource for Dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences," Ann Thompson Cook communicates a gently assertive expectation that we as Christians need to get up to speed on something too rarely discussed but very important for the life of the church and its ministries. Combining valuable information, personal sharing, and resources, this booklet is a perfect starting place for any congregation, family, or individual seeking to better understand transgender issues and to provide a supportive environment for all of God’s children.
An educational guide for pastors on transgender people, transgender communities and pastoral care.
Below are links to additional resources available online developed by other organizations on this topic. IWR is not responsible for links beyond the ones listed. The links below will open in a new browser window.
Christine Jorgensen became the first American to publicly undergo sexual reassignment surgery in 1954 - a major turning point in the history of the transgender community. This 55-minute interview was conducted in 1958 by Nipsy Russell.
Devoted to providing important information on transgender people and faith. For a particularly spirit-lifting story, see Soli Deo Gloria, Julie’s Story.
An introductory resource prepared by Rev. Erin Swenson.
Call Me Malcolm: One Man's Struggle with faith, love and gender identity. © 2004 filmworks, inc. / United Church of Christ
Call Me Malcolm is a documentary about a 27 year-old transgender seminary student, and his struggle with faith, love and gender identity.
See a clip of this documentary here.