Love and Solidarity with Trans and Nonbinary People

At a moment when so many legislatures are debating hateful laws, Unitarian Universalism affirms what is true yesterday, today, and every day:

Trans people are divine. 
There is no such thing as other people’s children. 
We join together in fighting for a world in which all of us are free and thriving.

The Unitarian Universalist Association is grateful to partner with our friends at Foothills Unitarian Church to offer this short blessing for all our siblings being targeted by transphobia and hate, and for everyone living out our faith by organizing, advocating, and mobilizing for justice.

Love and Solidarity with Trans and Nonbinary People VIDEO

[Video Transcript]

This is a message to trans and non-binary people across the United States to the parents of trans and non-binary kids, and to everyone who's showing up at state legislatures across the country, fighting the wave of anti-trans legislation that's sweeping this nation. We see you. I see you putting our faith into action with your unwavering love and belief in the worth and dignity of trans kids, and we are.

To remind you that you are not alone, and you should know that Unitarian Universalists across the country, we have your back. It's so hard right now. I read the stories of legislatures and politicians and people will seeking attention using your lives, your heart, your body. As political ponds, as punching bags, literal roll and figurative.

Fearing politicians will use your kids as political. Will force you to move states uprooting your lives, all because you want your kids to thrive, to receive medically necessary healthcare, to play sports, to be themselves, to be safe, to feel loved and wanted as they deserve It is exhausting and frustrating.

It is scary sometimes. Every day you are feeling the weight of hateful lies pushing on you and on those kids that you love. We see you showing up to protest and to testify and to organize and to lobby. Thank you for showing up for our values. Thank you for fighting for trans and non-binary kids. And I know that for you, just like for me, this isn't some kind of abstract agenda.

There are folks in my congregation here who are trans, who are non-binary. We're gonna be the direct recipients of the work that you're doing. Thank you. From trans members of my congregation, thank you, from parents of trans kids, in my congregation. Thank you for being in this. When everything feels like it's a raid against you, when it feels like you take one step forward and two steps back, it gives me hope that you're out doing this work as draining as it can be sometimes..

We see you and we care for you, and we're so, so grateful for you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. In Unitarian Universalism. We believe that every person, as beautiful as they are and as they are becoming, that your life is sacred. Your body is sacred just as you are, and that they're wrong. They're wrong, they're cynical.

They want you to give up, and love is stronger than their fear. Too often people of faith end up on the wrong side of hatred and discrimination towards LGBTQ plus people, but that ends here. Trans kids are not political ponds. Trans kids are divine.

Thank you, Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, Rev. Lauren Farley, Rev. Lee Paczilla, Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson, Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink, Rev. David Schwartz, Rev. Joe Cherry

Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st

Please SAVE THE DATE for the UUA TDOV Virtual Party for Trans Families
Friday, March 31st @ 8pm-9:30pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm ET

As legislators pass harmful laws in states all across the country and as people of faith and no-faith fight back, we want to remind transgender/nonbinary families that they are not alone.

As Unitarian Universalists we believe that every body is sacred. This will be a time of reflection, celebration, and renewal as we prepare for what is and whatever is coming our way.

REGISTER HERE

*This will be a youth/child centered, multigenerational and accessible space. 

UPLIFT Monthly Trans/Nonbinary Gathering Space 

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)!

These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you.

NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We're glad to have you here!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER

2023 The Five Practices of Welcome Monthly ZOOM Orientations

In 2019 we launched a new Welcoming Congregations renewal program called The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal. The goal of the program is to encourage congregations to practice Welcome every year, year-round. 
As such, we are inviting religious leaders and congregants to join one (or more) of our Five Practices of Welcome Renewal - Monthly Orientation sessions.

Monday, March 27th 
Monday, April 10th 
Monday, May 15th

All sessions are at 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT

REGISTER HERE FOR A MONTHLY ORIENTATION

CLICK HERE to view a previously recorded session.

Support UUA LGBTQ+ Ministries

Each of us has worth and dignity, and that worth includes our gender and our sexuality.
As Unitarian Universalists we not only open our doors to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, we value diversity of sexuality and gender and see it as a spiritual gift.
Your support helps keep our LGBTQ Justice and Public Witness work active and vibrant, as well as deepening our Welcoming Congregations program.