Hi everyone, Cely here!
So, I'm a Christian, and I am going to be leading my sunday school class (college age) one Sunday in June. I've been trying to think of what to discuss, because I want something really relevant to today that my age group is going to have to deal with. I think what I've decided on is that I want to discuss transgenderism. Honestly, I doubt many in my class have any actual feelings on it aside from a conservative Christian 'this is wrong' standpoint, which is totally not healthy. I want us to be able to discuss it, to look at it realistically, look at it with the Bible, and with our faith, and decide from there what our thoughts and feelings are, and how we should interact with the topic and Transgender people.
I've found some interesting articles (regarding Christians and just stories from Transgender persons), but I really want to get a first-hand account. In order to really understand Transgenderism, I think it's best if I hear it from Transgender persons themselves.
SO, if any of you lovely people are willing to share your story (you can PM me if you prefer it to be more private), that would be really helpful! It's such an important topic in today's world, and I really feel that just reading articles by Transgender persons won't quite give me the understanding I need.
Much love to all of you; this is a judgment free zone, I truly just want to learn and understand!
So, I'm a Christian, and I am going to be leading my sunday school class (college age) one Sunday in June. I've been trying to think of what to discuss, because I want something really relevant to today that my age group is going to have to deal with. I think what I've decided on is that I want to discuss transgenderism. Honestly, I doubt many in my class have any actual feelings on it aside from a conservative Christian 'this is wrong' standpoint, which is totally not healthy. I want us to be able to discuss it, to look at it realistically, look at it with the Bible, and with our faith, and decide from there what our thoughts and feelings are, and how we should interact with the topic and Transgender people.
I've found some interesting articles (regarding Christians and just stories from Transgender persons), but I really want to get a first-hand account. In order to really understand Transgenderism, I think it's best if I hear it from Transgender persons themselves.
SO, if any of you lovely people are willing to share your story (you can PM me if you prefer it to be more private), that would be really helpful! It's such an important topic in today's world, and I really feel that just reading articles by Transgender persons won't quite give me the understanding I need.
Much love to all of you; this is a judgment free zone, I truly just want to learn and understand!
I'm not able to really talk much right now because I'm on my phone, but articles by trans people happen to be the best sources of information there. They're well worded, elaborate, and often link to other resources.
Try looking at Tumblr as well. LOTS of personal stories are there.
You can also find scientific evidence of you Google for it too.
Unfortunately , I don't think this is going to go over very well. You might have some people there who agree with you or are willing to learn, but in my experiences with religious family, it's a little bit of a toxic environment for that topic. You might get frustrated. You might be seen as a bad person for defending people like us.
Or it might go really well!
My advice is to avoid talking much about surgeries and focus more on how we're just trying to be comfortable with ourselves, use the bathroom in peace, and find happiness. Research dysphoria. Research how it isn't a mental illness. Explain that there are many people they've met that were likely trans and they had no idea. How there are probably trans people going to that very church.
Explain that no, we don't want to abuse your daughters or spy on your husbands when we go pee. We just want to pee without getting yelled at, assaulted, or killed.
Research instances of it throughout history.
This is a topic people do not often like to approach.
But yes. Read articles - a lot of them. Those ARE personal experiences. I had to do that when I was trying to figure out what was going on with myself.
Try looking at Tumblr as well. LOTS of personal stories are there.
You can also find scientific evidence of you Google for it too.
Unfortunately , I don't think this is going to go over very well. You might have some people there who agree with you or are willing to learn, but in my experiences with religious family, it's a little bit of a toxic environment for that topic. You might get frustrated. You might be seen as a bad person for defending people like us.
Or it might go really well!
My advice is to avoid talking much about surgeries and focus more on how we're just trying to be comfortable with ourselves, use the bathroom in peace, and find happiness. Research dysphoria. Research how it isn't a mental illness. Explain that there are many people they've met that were likely trans and they had no idea. How there are probably trans people going to that very church.
Explain that no, we don't want to abuse your daughters or spy on your husbands when we go pee. We just want to pee without getting yelled at, assaulted, or killed.
Research instances of it throughout history.
This is a topic people do not often like to approach.
But yes. Read articles - a lot of them. Those ARE personal experiences. I had to do that when I was trying to figure out what was going on with myself.
Messaged!
Hey there! I definitely plan to send you my story, as this has gotten me curious as well. But I'd also like to add on MadRatBird's incredibly amazing advice, if I may.
There are a lot of people who are non-binary and don't really identify as male or female. Some identify as both (like me!), some identify as having a third gender or just having three different genders in general. Some don't identify as a gender at all, or some see it as more of a fluid thing. The list goes on of course, but those are a few examples. I do believe that non-binary people also fall into the transgender umbrella, so it's also a good idea to talk a little bit about that as well. Like Mad said, don't focus on surgeries with transgender or non-binary people. Focus on their experiences, how they most feel comfortable... It's also good to find transgender and non-binary people who are also Christians and hear their stories too! It's definitely some good insight on how transgender/non-binary people communicate and cope in their Christian communities while keeping their faith.
And of course, not only is it good to do some research on transgender people throughout history, it's also good to research different cultures (such as Native American tribes and world cultures such as India, etc.) and see how they look at transgender people. Some of those cultures from what I've heard actually celebrate people like us, or at the very least, are a bit more tolerant. I could be wrong on that, but it's always good to check it out anyway!
I wish you so much luck with this: like it's been said, the topic may not go over too well because it's a hot button subject, especially among religious people from what I've seen. However, it could also go over very well if you don't express judgment with not only the people you're talking about, but the people you're talking to as well. If nothing else, if you have one person thinking about us in a more positive light, or them at least considering thinking about us in that way, it's definitely better than not talking about it at all. So I really have to commend your compassion here, and thank you as well.
There are a lot of people who are non-binary and don't really identify as male or female. Some identify as both (like me!), some identify as having a third gender or just having three different genders in general. Some don't identify as a gender at all, or some see it as more of a fluid thing. The list goes on of course, but those are a few examples. I do believe that non-binary people also fall into the transgender umbrella, so it's also a good idea to talk a little bit about that as well. Like Mad said, don't focus on surgeries with transgender or non-binary people. Focus on their experiences, how they most feel comfortable... It's also good to find transgender and non-binary people who are also Christians and hear their stories too! It's definitely some good insight on how transgender/non-binary people communicate and cope in their Christian communities while keeping their faith.
And of course, not only is it good to do some research on transgender people throughout history, it's also good to research different cultures (such as Native American tribes and world cultures such as India, etc.) and see how they look at transgender people. Some of those cultures from what I've heard actually celebrate people like us, or at the very least, are a bit more tolerant. I could be wrong on that, but it's always good to check it out anyway!
I wish you so much luck with this: like it's been said, the topic may not go over too well because it's a hot button subject, especially among religious people from what I've seen. However, it could also go over very well if you don't express judgment with not only the people you're talking about, but the people you're talking to as well. If nothing else, if you have one person thinking about us in a more positive light, or them at least considering thinking about us in that way, it's definitely better than not talking about it at all. So I really have to commend your compassion here, and thank you as well.
I'm going to pop my head in here: if you can find someone who is transgendered in your area who is willing to come talk to the group it will help so much.
I can attest that when I came out last summer, I had a number of very Christian, old world faith coworkers (including a Creationist!) who have accepted me and started to ask questions and reach out to know more than I have initially put forth. Luck for me, two of them are married to ministers so I am able to show them how trans people are without getting them too afraid - they worked with me before and they know me. I'm not as bad as some people would make me out to be!
If that's not a possibility, you could always open discussions with what people wish they could change about themselves. This was done at a youth group I was a part of in my teen years before we were introduced to a number of people who were "different", though none of them were transgendered.
I can message you later if you'd like, but I'd like to leave you with someone told me when I was worried about teaching in the Catholic system as a part of my internship: "No one can deny that God made you exactly how He wanted. You just need to take another step to reach His vision for you, and He will be with you during this journey."
Admittedly I'm not Christian, but many of my very faithful friends have said things like this, so I feel strongly that must be the way He feels about me and He has chosen to show me some of His strength through their words and love for me.
I can attest that when I came out last summer, I had a number of very Christian, old world faith coworkers (including a Creationist!) who have accepted me and started to ask questions and reach out to know more than I have initially put forth. Luck for me, two of them are married to ministers so I am able to show them how trans people are without getting them too afraid - they worked with me before and they know me. I'm not as bad as some people would make me out to be!
If that's not a possibility, you could always open discussions with what people wish they could change about themselves. This was done at a youth group I was a part of in my teen years before we were introduced to a number of people who were "different", though none of them were transgendered.
I can message you later if you'd like, but I'd like to leave you with someone told me when I was worried about teaching in the Catholic system as a part of my internship: "No one can deny that God made you exactly how He wanted. You just need to take another step to reach His vision for you, and He will be with you during this journey."
Admittedly I'm not Christian, but many of my very faithful friends have said things like this, so I feel strongly that must be the way He feels about me and He has chosen to show me some of His strength through their words and love for me.
All,
Thank you SO much for your input so far! It's super helpful!
I do indeed plan on focusing on the people and their experiences, how they feel, etc. I really do want to dive into gender dysphoria because there's SO much surrounding that that we as Christians really need to dive into and ask the hard questions about.
This is certainly a hot-button topic, especially because this particular church is kinda leery about gays (so I'm curious what the response to transgenderism is), but as a college/graduate age group, I think it's critically important for my sunday school to discuss, consider and really dive into this topic. These are real people, dealing with real feelings and real challenges/hate/etc. I want to force my group to get past the initial 'gag reflex' of "this is sin, therefore shun it and don't talk about it". That's so much nope.
I'm honestly really excited to have this discussion. All of your advice, and your own stories, are really helping as I gather notes. Thank you again!!
Thank you SO much for your input so far! It's super helpful!
I do indeed plan on focusing on the people and their experiences, how they feel, etc. I really do want to dive into gender dysphoria because there's SO much surrounding that that we as Christians really need to dive into and ask the hard questions about.
This is certainly a hot-button topic, especially because this particular church is kinda leery about gays (so I'm curious what the response to transgenderism is), but as a college/graduate age group, I think it's critically important for my sunday school to discuss, consider and really dive into this topic. These are real people, dealing with real feelings and real challenges/hate/etc. I want to force my group to get past the initial 'gag reflex' of "this is sin, therefore shun it and don't talk about it". That's so much nope.
I'm honestly really excited to have this discussion. All of your advice, and your own stories, are really helping as I gather notes. Thank you again!!
I'm not trans, but I have been following two trans people on YouTube for a while. They make excellent videos sharing their own experiences and feelings and they might be good resources for people to look into if they want to learn more at home.
(Note: both these YouTubers have adult content on their channel in terms of talking about sex and talking about adult toys - which can be important things to know about, but may not be for everyone! It's all clean as per YouTube's standards, but best to be mindful that they carry this kind of content - Chase in particular has a lot of it.)
Stef is a MtF transwoman: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePrinceSane
Chase is a FtM transman : https://www.youtube.com/user/uppercaseCHASE1
(Note: both these YouTubers have adult content on their channel in terms of talking about sex and talking about adult toys - which can be important things to know about, but may not be for everyone! It's all clean as per YouTube's standards, but best to be mindful that they carry this kind of content - Chase in particular has a lot of it.)
Stef is a MtF transwoman: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePrinceSane
Chase is a FtM transman : https://www.youtube.com/user/uppercaseCHASE1
Friends,
Thank you again for all your help and your input! I just wanted to give an update; I told my Sunday School teacher about the topic that I wanted to discuss, and she's actually in favor! She said it's certainly a topic that we should not be ignoring, and it will make for any interesting discussion. She's also doing research of her own to be able to chime into the discussion and be prepared!
The lesson is going down on the 18th. I'm really excited for it. At the same time, man, there's just still so much to consider. I think I'll be opening the lesson by saying that we obviously aren't going to come to any solid answer/conclusion. But we can discuss it, dive into it, and talk about how to interact with others on this topic. I'm really, really looking forward to it. Thank you all so much for your help, you're all lovely people!
Anyone who still wants to chime in can please feel free to do so!
Thank you again for all your help and your input! I just wanted to give an update; I told my Sunday School teacher about the topic that I wanted to discuss, and she's actually in favor! She said it's certainly a topic that we should not be ignoring, and it will make for any interesting discussion. She's also doing research of her own to be able to chime into the discussion and be prepared!
The lesson is going down on the 18th. I'm really excited for it. At the same time, man, there's just still so much to consider. I think I'll be opening the lesson by saying that we obviously aren't going to come to any solid answer/conclusion. But we can discuss it, dive into it, and talk about how to interact with others on this topic. I'm really, really looking forward to it. Thank you all so much for your help, you're all lovely people!
Anyone who still wants to chime in can please feel free to do so!
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