TransEpiscopal at General Convention
 The Rev. Cameron Partridge, a leader of
TransEpiscopal, presiding at Baptism.
Vicki Gray
"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you
tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die?”
William Shakespeare,“The Merchant of Venice”
For the first time, transgender Episcopalians will
have a visible, vocal presence at the Church's General Convention.
Eight members of TransEpiscopal, a nationwide organization of
transgender Episcopalians, will attend the General Convention in Anaheim
July 8-17. We will be working with Integrity at its booth; speaking the
afternoon of Friday, July 10 at the "Speaker's Corner;" supporting four
transgender-related resolutions; and generally getting to know delegates
and others in attendance. We hope to see many of you there.
WHO WE ARE
We are a group of transgender Episcopalians and our
significant others, families, friends and allies dedicated to enriching
our spiritual lives and to making the Episcopal Church a welcoming and
empowering place that all of us truly can call our spiritual home.
We represent the often forgotten “T” in the LGBT –
that broad spectrum of gender variance which cross-cuts sexual
orientation and includes tomboys, crossdressers, transsexuals and those
called to live their lives androgynously.
We are not, by reason of being transgendered, sick,
sinful . . . or dangerous.
We are, however, very much endangered and are
killed – one a month – by those who hate.
We are, many of us, accomplished in a variety of
fields – physicians, politicians, professors, poets and priests.
We are active in our church as vestry members,
musicians, convention delegates, deacons, priests and faithful
parishioners in countless pews.
Above all, we are all God’s children, made in the
image of our Creator, imbued with the Holy Spirit, breathed into every
human, and seeking to walk in the footsteps of our brother Jesus.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God!
WHAT WE SEEK
Local, state and federal anti-discrimination
legislation that is fully inclusive of us as well as our gay, lesbian
and bisexual brothers and sisters.
A fully inclusive Federal Hate Crimes Act.
The addition of gender identity and expression to
the non-discrimination provisions of the Canons of the Episcopal Church.
The development of resources for use in educational
forums that will increase understanding about transgender people and end
discrimination against us.
The development of liturgies that will support and
celebrate transgender people as we walk in newness of life.
A church with open doors and open arms for all
God’s children…no ifs, and, or buts.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Most of us are traveling to Anaheim at our own
expense and we are seeking to raise funds to help defray those expenses
as well as those for the printing of educational materials at
Convention.
Won’t you consider helping us in thiswork by
writing a check payable to either:
The
Rev. Cameron Partridge
43 Chelsea Street
Everett, MA 02149
The
Rev. Michelle Hansen,
125 Parklawn Drive
Waterbury, CT 06708
On
the memo line please write “TransEpiscopal”
TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT US AT: http://blog.transepiscopal.com/
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