Comments on: Testimony Movie – Religion, Coming Out And The Transgender Experience

By: Vanessa Law

Vanessa Law — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:24:37 +0000

Hi Vania,
I’d recommend you start with a local transgender organization (most large cities have a transgender group), they would be the best folks to talk you through the transition, and going overseas. Even more than at home, I can imagine that you’ll need all the support you can get going overseas to transition.

Best of luck!

By: Vania

Vania — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:38:32 +0000

Hello. I need help for going abroad in the most private way. I´m transsexual man-woman. It is a torture to stand this hard problem. Please, perhaps would there be goods news for me.
Thanks. Vania.-

By: Vanessa Law

Vanessa Law — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:18:00 +0000

Stephanie, Lynn, Eden, Carla – thanks for your comments!

Lynn, your thoughts about what is more important resonated with me, bringing Jesus’ words to mind as he told the parable of the good Samaritan. Powerfully saying that doing good is more important, and that those from who one might least expect it are still capable of being divine on this earth.

Carla, I had not thought before that coming out in the trans community as Christian could be more difficult. It may be that I’ve only had deep conversations about faith with a few sisters. It seems to make sense that many transgendered people may feel abandoned, if not outright hated by the religious community.

I long deeply for us to look first at what is common among us, so that then we can talk about what is different.

By: carla

carla — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:12:19 +0000

The movie presents an alternate viewpoint on the faith community/trans community relationship. And i’m glad for this different point of view.

I consider myself to be spiritual and religious. I am a follower of Jesus and this informs my core values by which i live my life. I am also an m-to-f transsexual. I came to a point in my life where being a transexual and being a Christian fit together in my mind and heart quite well.

The problem i encountered was between the two communities i was a part of. My spiritual journey led me to the Episcopal Church. There i found a place where i could come out as transgendered and, for the most part, people were ok with that. Coming out as Christian in the trans community has been more difficult. i understand why that is but it is still sad for me.

My hope is that the trans community realizes that the church is not a monolith when it comes to trans issues. And i hope that the church can learn that the trans community is a place where people are asking serious spiritual questions. Maybe one day the shouting match will become a diolog.

By: Eden Rio

Eden Rio — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:13:12 +0000

Life is way too short to think of these things….if it feels right, and you arent hurting others, you should do it.

Eden

By: Lynn Jones

Lynn Jones — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:48:11 +0000

I ticked other. Maybe if you’d asked me that question in my teens, I’d have given a different answer.

Now, it doesn’t bother me. I don’t care if people consider to me to be a ’sinner’. I dress up? So what? Isn’t it more important to try and be a good person rather than put down people who walk a different path?

By: stephanie

stephanie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:32:42 +0000

Vanessa;

Just to scratch the surface; I understand the need for community that many have. I have always been very spiritual (which I would think many of us are) and have never felt the need for being bound by the marketed patriarchal religious structures. I have always had the courage to cut my own path. Being a student of my spiritual self and the world around and beyond me for over 50 yrs has brought to a more “open minded” view of “why” and “purpose”.

I believe that we are all poisoned by evil. It is our own personal struggle and responsibility to hold these demons in check as we evolve. Some find support and relief within mainstream religious structures, others don’t.