On Monday March 31st, a group of trans folks from the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania organized a special Trans Day of Visibility Eucharist hosted by Trinity Memorial Church in Philadelphia. The preacher was Shane Keefer (they/he) who attends the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and works on its digital ministry team. They were also one of the 2024 Ecojustice Fellows for the Episcopal Church. They are transgender and non-binary, and they have passion for promoting inclusion of gender diverse groups in the Church and finding the Divinity in every person.
In the Name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
About seven years ago, I was considering different names to give myself. I was overwhelmed by the many options. I went through name generators and baby name lists. I spent hours looking up the meanings of all the names which spoke to me. At the same time, I was dealing with many challenges, one of which was the pain of alienation from my family and community that I had known all my life. I fell upon the name “Shane,” an Irish name that means “God is gracious,” a message I desperately needed at that time.
When Moses asked God for their (sing.) name, God responded, “I am who I am.” Any time we say, “I am,” we are participating in a divine act. “I am” is a proclamation of existence, a revelation of who we are. When I say, “I am Shane,” I announce myself, my existence, through this divine action. I am who I am before hormones and surgeries. Depriving me of medical care cannot deprive me of who I am. Preventing me from changing legal documents cannot prevent me from participating in the divine act of saying, “I am.”
We are living in tumultuous times. Through book bans, “Don’t say gay” laws, and the war on DEI, there are those who want to erase the language that allows trans people like me to express ourselves in this divine act. I am transgender. I am non-binary. I am genderqueer. I am trans-masculine. I am Shane. However, if this language is constantly used, if we continue to say, “I am,” no law or statute seeking my erasure can prevail. “I am” is always with me and is the source of my strength. It is through this divine act of saying “I am” that I am able to resist, but also, I am able to celebrate my own existence.
For a long time, churches, both conservative and liberal, have struggled to confront the reality of trans existence. Trans visibility directly challenges the traditional ways we have thought about gender within the Church. Unfortunately, many of my siblings in Christ have decided to outright deny trans existence and pursue a politic of erasure. Meanwhile, others among my siblings have found it safer to avoid the topic as much as possible. Still, it is heartwarming to be surrounded by siblings who stand by me and my trans siblings as we celebrate trans visibility.
While we have made progress, the Church has such a long way to go. While I am trans, I am also a Christian and a member of the Church. We as the Church can do so much better. If we want to know what the Church can do during this difficult time, then let's start with language. Do we recognize and affirm someone whenever they say, “I am?” Do we use the correct pronouns? He, she, they,xe, etc.? Remember, every use of a trans person’s correct pronouns and name is an act of resistance against erasure and a celebration of trans visibility. Of course, the Church should not stop here, but it is a very good and important first step. Just noticing and adjusting language goes so far in helping trans folks feel less alienated in the
pews, to feel like we genuinely are a part of the community.
Trans friends of mine outside the Church have sometimes asked me why I continue with the Church between having periods of profound doubt and the alienation I have felt as a trans person within the pews. One of the reasons I give is that I want to make sure transness is not absent from those pews. I want trans existence to be directly visible. I want the Church to not talk about me as an abstract hypothetical, but to know that there are trans people in their congregations and communities when discussing my existence.
This is not something that I recommend all trans people do. We should not be expected to be ambassadors within our congregations. Not every trans person finds it safe to be fully visible. So, the Church needs to do more to recognize the divinity of the “I am” in all transgender and gender-expansive communities, creating safe places for us to be visible. My message for my fellow trans siblings to not be afraid to practice the divine act of saying, “I am,” even if it is only to yourself. Always know God’s grace and love is embodied in every proclamation of “I am” that you make. “I am” is always with you now and forever. Amen.
About seven years ago, I was considering different names to give myself. I was overwhelmed by the many options. I went through name generators and baby name lists. I spent hours looking up the meanings of all the names which spoke to me. At the same time, I was dealing with many challenges, one of which was the pain of alienation from my family and community that I had known all my life. I fell upon the name “Shane,” an Irish name that means “God is gracious,” a message I desperately needed at that time.
When Moses asked God for their (sing.) name, God responded, “I am who I am.” Any time we say, “I am,” we are participating in a divine act. “I am” is a proclamation of existence, a revelation of who we are. When I say, “I am Shane,” I announce myself, my existence, through this divine action. I am who I am before hormones and surgeries. Depriving me of medical care cannot deprive me of who I am. Preventing me from changing legal documents cannot prevent me from participating in the divine act of saying, “I am.”
We are living in tumultuous times. Through book bans, “Don’t say gay” laws, and the war on DEI, there are those who want to erase the language that allows trans people like me to express ourselves in this divine act. I am transgender. I am non-binary. I am genderqueer. I am trans-masculine. I am Shane. However, if this language is constantly used, if we continue to say, “I am,” no law or statute seeking my erasure can prevail. “I am” is always with me and is the source of my strength. It is through this divine act of saying “I am” that I am able to resist, but also, I am able to celebrate my own existence.
For a long time, churches, both conservative and liberal, have struggled to confront the reality of trans existence. Trans visibility directly challenges the traditional ways we have thought about gender within the Church. Unfortunately, many of my siblings in Christ have decided to outright deny trans existence and pursue a politic of erasure. Meanwhile, others among my siblings have found it safer to avoid the topic as much as possible. Still, it is heartwarming to be surrounded by siblings who stand by me and my trans siblings as we celebrate trans visibility.
While we have made progress, the Church has such a long way to go. While I am trans, I am also a Christian and a member of the Church. We as the Church can do so much better. If we want to know what the Church can do during this difficult time, then let's start with language. Do we recognize and affirm someone whenever they say, “I am?” Do we use the correct pronouns? He, she, they,xe, etc.? Remember, every use of a trans person’s correct pronouns and name is an act of resistance against erasure and a celebration of trans visibility. Of course, the Church should not stop here, but it is a very good and important first step. Just noticing and adjusting language goes so far in helping trans folks feel less alienated in the
pews, to feel like we genuinely are a part of the community.
Trans friends of mine outside the Church have sometimes asked me why I continue with the Church between having periods of profound doubt and the alienation I have felt as a trans person within the pews. One of the reasons I give is that I want to make sure transness is not absent from those pews. I want trans existence to be directly visible. I want the Church to not talk about me as an abstract hypothetical, but to know that there are trans people in their congregations and communities when discussing my existence.
This is not something that I recommend all trans people do. We should not be expected to be ambassadors within our congregations. Not every trans person finds it safe to be fully visible. So, the Church needs to do more to recognize the divinity of the “I am” in all transgender and gender-expansive communities, creating safe places for us to be visible. My message for my fellow trans siblings to not be afraid to practice the divine act of saying, “I am,” even if it is only to yourself. Always know God’s grace and love is embodied in every proclamation of “I am” that you make. “I am” is always with you now and forever. Amen.
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