Progressive Faith Leaders to Speak Out Against Transphobia at Pasadena Church Friday

A coalition of faith communities will come together Friday in Pasadena to mobilize against what they call “the horrible trend toward anti-transgender agendas” in politics and government. 

The coalition plans to hold a press conference on Friday —  March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility — at All Saints Church in Pasadena, followed by a preliminary strategy session to plan a response to what they see as transphobic sentiment taking root in the United States and worldwide.

“Legislation restricting the rights of transgender people and attacks on drag entertainment has become the tip of the spear for a regressive political agenda cloaked in the guise of religious expression and parental rights,” organizers said in a statement Thursday.

The coalition points to a proposed state bill by California Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli of Riverside that could require school employees to disclose transgender students’ identities to their parents. The coalition said this measure runs counter to the state’s anti-discrimination laws that protect the privacy of transgender and gender-nonconforming students, potentially putting them in danger with unsupportive families.

The coalition said that such proposals only serve to terrorize already marginalized individuals.

It is now more important than ever for faith leaders to take a stand against efforts such as this bill, the coalition said.

At the Friday meeting, organizers said the coalition members will be discussing their plans to respond to this legislation and to protect the rights of transgender people.

The coalition includes the Los Angeles Queer Interfaith Clergy Council and All Saints Episcopal Church and a number of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Bahá’í and other faith-based leaders and organizations.