Americans Across Religious Denominations Support Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex People

Infographic in shades of blue that summarizes the data in the post about reaction to the interfaith statement. It says 1,042 signers, 50 states plus DC, 30 faiths represented, and 34% clergy.

The fact that more than 1,000 people have signed the landmark statement proclaiming the simple — yet also radical — truth that transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people are worthy of love, support, and protection as a religious principle makes clear something very good about how people of faith and good will across the United States feel about supporting their trans, nonbinary, and intersex neighbors and loved ones.

Now, we know that this isn’t a representative sample. But it is a meaningful one.

And yes, we know that there is bias in the responses. The universe from which we’ve drawn our signers are, as we state above, people of faith and good will. And they are people who are biased to believe in the human dignity and inherent worthiness of all people, especially those whose gender identity and expression are under attack. The letter was signed by people who represent at least 30 different denominations or religious identities, including the members of the 11 belief systems whose leaders signed the statement released on November 12th. More on that below.

It is unfortunately true that not everyone in this country, and especially not those with authority at the federal level, respect the rights of trans, nonbinary and intersex folks. But most importantly, these data tell us is the effort to claim that ALL religious voices are anti-trans is incorrect. The 11 religious leaders who signed the interfaith statement represent nearly 6.8 million Americans. And it says something that a thousand more everyday Americans, representing a variety of religious beliefs, are willing to sign this statement in support of their trans, nonbinary, and intersex siblings, loved ones, and neighbors.

50 States, 30 Religious Identities, and Many Clergy

So some key points to consider – we’ve had more than 1,042 sign as of Monday, December 8th. You can still sign the statement yourself, if you’d like, we will continue to collect signatures to show that millions of Americans are willing to join this chorus of voices saying to transgender people, “You are holy. You are sacred. We love you. We support you, and we will protect you.”

We’ve had people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia sign the statement. We’ve had a few of our Canadian neighbors put their names to it, as well! As stated above, at least 30 different denominations or belief systems are represented. Beyond those whose leaders already signed, people who identify as African Methodist Episcopal (AME), American Baptist, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Hellenist, Humanist, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Muslim, Nondenominational Christian, Pagan, Reformed, Sufi, Swedenborgian, and more have all joined the chorus.

Finally, more than a third – 34 percent – of those who have signed are members of the clergy – they are ministers, priests, rabbis, and imams. They indicate a breadth and depth of support for trans, nonbinary, and intersex folks from local religious leaders across the religious landscape and their voices should be heard, too.

As the statement says, “When people of faith and conscience stay silent in the face of oppression, we are all made less whole. When people of faith and conscience speak out against that which violates the sacred in its own name, we have the power to stay the hand of sin… Our transgender, intersex, and nonbinary beloveds offer a singular gift. They invite us to witness our broken world through the knowledge that, when we lead in truth and love, nothing is beyond transformation.”

Further Reading